Sharing “I CAN!” Attitudes

Anticipating Next Big DAY

Picture taken on his graduation day from Mainstream Montessori receiving his certificate. This moment is so special for us as we were told upon his diagnosis, as many parents are told, a grim and gloomy prognosis for his future. We were told he was unlikely to manage any facial expressions, interact with others, would have extensive mental retardation, and would be unaware of his surroundings. But, as you can see by this picture, taken back in 2007, he is “all there” and proud to be getting his certificate with his peers. His next big day is his First Communion in June this year.

~ Wendy Hendrick

Never walk, Never talk

When my daughter was born, they told us she would never walk, never talk, and not to get too attached because she probably wouldn’t live to be 5.

My proudest day was watching her in her first dance recital at age 4. She got up on a HUGE stage in front of hundreds of people and danced her little heart out. It was amazing.

She turned 7 last Saturday and is no different than any other child except, she is more kind, thoughtful, and more heartfelt than anyone else I have ever met! Thanks for letting me share!

~ Laci Mulick

“Don’t be sad Mamma,

My daughter Lani (Laney) is 14 months old and his been disabled since birth. She is profoundly deaf, has vision issues, and global delays among many other things. Last month, I was completely worn out from all of the doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions. One night, I broke down to my husband and started crying. I was crying because at 13 months Lani was functioning like a 3 month old. She couldn’t sit, crawl, stand, or do tummy time. She rolls to get where she wants and this is the only movement she does. Lani must have seen me crying because she rolled over to me. I picked her up. As soon as I picked her up she acted like she wanted to get down so I put her in the sitting position on the floor and she sat up by herself for 37 minutes! Every couple of minutes she looked back at me as if she were saying “Don’t be sad Mamma, I can do it.” I have never been so proud of her! She has been sitting up ever since.

~ Heather Dirks

**LANI is also our COVER GIRL