Cleveland Indians Game 2013

 Take me out to the ball game........

 It was a great day to go the Indians game.

 It was a last minute decision but, I'm so glad we went. Noah had a great time.

 We had great seats.

The Indians won 8-2.  Hopefully they can continue to win and keep their wild card spot for the playoffs.

Go Tribe!!!!!!

Shriners Picnic

 Noah's class went to the Richland County Fairgrounds for the Shriners Picnic.

 He even got to ride a horse.

There was also lots of dancing.

 This little girl came over and started dancing with Noah and then stopped and looked at me. She said, "He's crying"  I then told her that was his happy face and that she was making  him very happy.

 Mrs. Wilson then came over to dance with him and he started to growl at her. I guess he felt she was getting in his way. Haha

 

On the way home we stopped at Target. We couldn't resist trying out the Halloween wigs.

Finding Noah His Voice

When people look at Noah they see a boy in a wheelchair that most often looks like he is unaware of the world around him. He is unable to speak and they assume he doesn't understand. They are afraid to say Hi and just stare instead.

 

 When I look at Noah I see a boy that is stuck in a body that doesn't work for him. I can't imagine how hard it is to sit in a chair and watch the world go by you and not have a way to interact, not be able to show people you are a person that has feelings too.

 Don't get me wrong, Noah loves life and enjoys getting out and about. I just wish it was easier for him to interact with his world.

 One thing we have found if you take the time to get his attention he will respond to you. Get in his face, hold his hands and talk to him. He will reward you with the most heart warming smile you will ever see.

 

After I put Noah to bed at night I spend my time trying to find things that may give him a better quality of life. The other night I came across Eagle Eyes and was blown away by the potential for Noah. A young gentlemen was originally  thought to have a mind of a 6 month old was able to graduate from high school with a diploma using this technology.

Part of me is excited about the potential for Noah to finally be able to show the world that he is the smart young man that I always knew he was. There is another part of me that thinks, what if it doesn't work for Noah, what if his attitude gets in the way and what if I was wrong all along and he isn't as smart as I always thought he was.

I did some more research and was able to find the website that could give me more information. Boston College has developed the Eagle Eye Project. The purpose of the Eagle Eyes Project is to help people with severe physical disabilities develop and be educated to their fullest by enabling them to access the computer. They work with people, mainly children and young adults, who cannot speak and can move only their eyes or head.

I guess its time to keep researching and find away that Noah can try out this technology and see if it will work for him. I guess there is no rest for the weary.

I sure hope that Eagle Eyes will work and I don't getting disappointed.

 Only time will tell......

Noah's Class is on the Move

Noah's class was presented with a really cool golf cart yesterday. The golf cart was made possible thanks to the effort of their teacher Kelly Zakrasjsek, a generous donation from Angela Philips and the volunteer work of Mike and Sandy Hershiser.

 His teacher Ms Zak got the idea of a golf cart in the spring. She wanted a easier way to get out and about around the school and the community.

 It"s decked out with grey pin striping and whippet dogs.

 Richland Newhope donated harnesses for the kids that needed extra help with support and Noah's old car seat was strapped on so he could ride too.

 Now the kids in Noah's class can be chauffeured around the community by any of the teachers or helpers in his class. "The whole idea was to get them out of the classroom and with typical people as much as they can. People look at them and they're afraid of them, they're afraid to touch them or shake their hand or just talk to them. This makes them more typical when people see them out not always in their wheelchairs and out doing stuff.." Ms. Zak via Shelby Daily Globe

 

 

 

Look for Noah and his class around town and make sure to say Hi.