My everyday hero is my Mother and best friend, Linda Cage
She goes the extra 100 miles for Nicholas every single day since he was born. Nick is named after Nicholas Cage, our family’s favorite actor. Of course, it helped that our last name was Cage as well.
Nicholas was born at 23 weeks gestation and only weighed 1lb. 8 oz. He was in the NICU hospital until he was almost 5 months old, which should have been when he was born. At this point, he only weighed 5 pounds. When we brought him home, he was hooked up to all kinds of monitors and was pretty darn scary. Mom worked 60 hours a week, and then finally had to give up her career to be a 24 hour caretaker to Nicholas.
Nicholas is now 12 years old. He has Autism [1], Right side Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy [2], and is Cortically Blind [3]. Of course those are just the major disabilities…he has a host of others that accompany those: asthma, sensory disorder [4], ADHD [5], gastrointestinal disorders….the list goes on.
She has home-schooled Nick since kindergarten, and he has excelled. He can read, use the computer, write with a little facilitation, and spell like a champion. She has to hold the books close to him so he can read. She sits with him and holds his hand to help him write. She never gives up on a subject.
When we were little, my Mom made sure we were educated and was involved in extracurricular activities like baseball and soccer. Well, now she’s doing it again with Nicholas, only this time it’s 30 years later. They are active in the Special Olympics [6] where my Mom is a Class A volunteer for not only Nicholas, but for all of the athletes. They are involved in the community and on the Challenger baseball team. She helps Nicholas bat, run the bases, and stands in front of him with a glove because he can’t see the ball coming. When the ball does come to them she will catch it, put it in Nick’s hand, and take him to the base to tag it.
Nick can’t dress himself or put his shoes on. He needs guidance to walk outside or in the community. Last week Mom took Nicholas to the Prom for the Shriners’ kids and she was his date. She has little to no social life because her life revolves around Nicholas’. So yes, “we” nominate our Mother, Linda Jean Cage, as an Everyday Hero!
Signed, her children along with her (7) Grandchildren
Cody M. Cage
Casie J. Dimsey
Brandi L. Cage
More Everyday Heroes
- Proud Moments: Matthew Shifrin Inspiring Lego for the Blind [8]
- Honoring the Legendary Dick Hoyt [9]
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver [10]
- Real Life with Eustacia Cutler [11]
- Judith Bluestone [12]
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- Miracle Babies What You Need to Know [13]
- Your Baby is Not Normal [14]
- Your Baby: Babies Know More Than You Think [15]
- Coping with the Life You Never Imagined [16]
- A Thin Slice Of Denial [17]
- Early Intervention: First Steps in the Right Direction [18]
- Are You on the Fence About Early Intervention: A Therapist’s Perspective [19]
- A Complete Guide on Positive Behavior Support for Children With Special Needs [20]