Happy Birthday JP!

About this time 3 years ago, we were waiting to hear from the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs) about our son. We knew it was his birthday and we were anticipating his homecoming (which would take place a few months later). We didn't know what was ahead of us, but we celebrated his birthday by sending clothing and few small toys in box to his orphanage. At home, we purchased a small white cake with blue wintery decorations that simply said "Happy Birthday Jon Paul". I bought a balloon in the shape of a dump truck, something I thought he would like had he already been home with us.

 

The following year, he turned 4, but we were still in the midst of turmoil. Jon Paul was still so ill and integrating him into family life and school. We bought a small cake and celebrated quietly, as a family.

 

Last year things were better and I had every intention of a celebration. This time I dropped the ball. We picked the perfect spot for a small party with friends only to find out the place was booked... every weekend in December... and January.... AND most of February... By the time party plans were even penciled in, it was almost Spring. *sigh*... It was a total Mommy FAIL!

 

This year, I have been more on the "ball" (no pun intended) and we are having a bowling birthday party... JP's first party, ever. I booked the party early and we had a good response to the invitations. The party is this weekend.  He's excited and we're all pretty excited about that!

 

Reading

It's not really that astonishing... I found out this past summer, quite by accident, that Jon Paul could read. He's actually able to read both print and Braille, but due to his significant visual impairment, print is really difficult. Braille is simply easier for him. He's working on typical Kindergarten sight words. In the video below, he's practicing "I", "a" and "like". He can already read most colors, so we added those in and Mike taught him the words to go along with the pictures from the Kindergarten reading worksheet. Enjoy the show. We're proud.

JP's First Golf Tournament

This past summer, JP was invited to play golf with MABGA, the Middle Atlantic Blind Golfers Association junior golfer's division. It's an excellent program and free. MABGA provides all of the equipment, clubs, a bag, unlimited balls, a golf pro and greens fees. I was hesitant, at first, to allow JP to join. He's very young, and I wasn't sure he'd "get" the game of golf. But Norman, who runs the junior program for MABGA encouraged us to come out and give it a try... And golf was a big hit!

This fall, JP participated in a blind golfer's tournament at a course that is situated at a school for the blind and developed especially for blind children who are learning the game. The 9 hole course has shortened holes (much like a pitch and putt) and larger ball holes than you would actually find on a regulation course. JP successfully played all 9 holes, along with his sighted pro, Anthony. He even won a trophy for "closest to the pin"... very exciting!

Sadly, golf is finished for the season. But you believe that JP will back in the spring!

Thank you!

First a huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted, donated or simply said a prayer... I am pleased to announce in just 24 hours, JP's SMART Brailler has been FULLY FUNDED! Yahoo!

In addition to Abby, who won the contest, Tommy and Alden have also been fully funded! So far, 4 out of the 6 kids will have acess to the SMART Brailler! And that's a good thing! So what about the other 2 children, Clay and Adelyn? Well....

It's not too late! As JP is fully funded, we are asking friends who still wish to donate to pay it forward and make a donation to Clay and Adelyn! Click on the link below for details...

SMART Braillers for Everyone!

Community Thank You!

Thanks so much to everyone who voted for JP in the SMART Brailler contest.  While JP didn't win the SMART Brailler... Someone DID and for that we are grateful! A blind child will certainly benefit! (Congratulations Abby!) 

As a consolation, Perkins has offered us a $500 credit towards the purchase of a SMART Brailler for JP. While this is a very generous offer, it still leaves us $1700 short of the purchase price.

I've heard of others who have had success with online campaigns, so if you'd still like to see JP get a SMART Brailler, it can still happen! Click on "Go fund me" below to learn how!

GO FUND ME!

VOTING HAS NOW ENDED, BUT YOU CAN CLICK THE LINK TO SEE THE RESULTS!

VOTE FOR JP CORMAN!

THANK YOU!

Special Needs and contests

Fighting for resources is something we, as parents, do for our children every day. It seems even more prevalent in the Special Needs community.  We entered the SMART Brailler project, not to win the SMART Brailler (and it doesn't appear that we will, we're in last place by a large margin) but to allow JP to benefit from a chance to have hands-on technology, even if only for a brief time.

The kids went back to school this week. I work a full-time job. Both kids participate in activities outside of school. Life requires A LOT of my time and attention. And I just couldn't devote the time or attention to get the word out to get JP the votes he needed. Truth be told, all of the kids deserve the SMART Brailler, but the reality is there are 6 kids and only one Brailler.

I would have liked to see JP benefit from this piece of equipment, especially this year, as he's in a mainstream kindergarten classroom. His teacher's don't know Braille, with the exception of his TVI. His TVI is only in the classroom once a week. Having a Brailler that could speak and spell out words would not only be reinforcing for JP, but it would bring his teachers and friends closer to our community as well.

This is my last request. Voting ends September 8th and, at this point only a miracle landslide of votes would make this thing a reality for JP. Thanks to everyone who supported him through the contest! YOU are all winners in my book!

VOTING ENDS SEPT. 8.

JP NEEDS YOUR HELP TO BRING :MARTY" the SMART Brailler home for good! Please click the link below and vote for the Corman family! Thanks so much for your support!

VOTE FOR JP CORMAN!

First Day of School

Today is JP's FIRST day of Kindergarten! We are so proud of how far the little guy has come! He'll been in full-day Kindergarten, in a mainstream program, but he'll still be receiving his therapies and special services, like TVI and O&M instruction, each week. He's exited to be in class with his friend Peyton, who was in his preschool class as well! Good luck, little man! You're going to do well!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

ROCK THE VOTE!

JP NEEDS YOUR HELP TO BRING :MARTY" the SMART Brailler home for good! Please click the link below and vote for the Corman family! Thanks so much for your support!

VOTE FOR JP CORMAN!

My favorite child

To my favorite child, Camille: I love you the most. You introduced me to the world of motherhood and made us a family. I love how genuinely kind and sweet you are. I love how you consider any alone time with me now a special date, even if we just go to the grocery store. I love how nurturing and compassionate you are to animals and people, alike. I love watching you dance and the pride you take in your own special choreography. I love how you hug like you’re never going to let go. I love how thoughtful you are, always.. I love hearing from our fellow parishioners and neighbors how wonderful you are, even though I already know. I love talking to you on the phone, when I'm at work. I love reading the little notes you leave around the house and hearing you read to your brother. You are my absolute favorite.

To my favorite child, Jon Paul: I love you the most. You will always be my baby, even though you insist that you are a big boy. I love your husky voice and the way your repeat everything you hear even though half the time, you, nor I, have no idea what you’re saying. I love watching you try to keep up with your sister and her friends. I love listening to you sing and make up songs on the piano. I love watching you play and how you can make a game of pretty much anything. I love how much you make people wonder. I love the way you say my name. I love your shiny black hair and way you look in a crisp polo. I love the way you hold my face with two hands when you give me a kiss. I love hearing you crunch on Cheerios in the morning and how everything you ask for is followed by "please". You round out our family, completely. You are my absolute favorite.

PLEASE VOTE!!!

Please help bring Marty, the Smart Brailler back home to JP! Voting begins Monday, July 26! Click on the photo of Marty below to learn more! 

Your vote will help a blind child learn to read!

For the love of golf

I don't golf. To be honest, I've never picked up a club outside of the little rubber putters at miniature golf  at the beach. And I'm not particularly good at that, even. I can remember my grandfather watching golf on television for HOURS. I know who Tiger Woods is. That's about the extent of my golf knowledge.

This past Spring, JP was invited to a golf clinic held by the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association. We were familiar with the organization (they've been trying to recruit Mike for years... he has no interest in golf) but I didn't know they had a junior division that starts golfer at age 5. We were not able to attend that Spring clinic, but Norm is persistent, and a few weeks ago, he again invited JP to play golf with The First Tee... and JP LOVED it!

The benefits to MABGA's junior program is that they provide everything JP needs, clubs, greens fees, membership fees, even a golf pro, at no cost to us. We just get him to his lessons and he learns to play blind golf. It's an awesome program!

Waiting to begin putting clinic

Norm helps JP line up his put.

I think I'll just tap this in while no one is looking.

Still here!

We're still here. I apologize for the lack of updates. We've been enjoying our summer, finally had the opportunity to make it to the shore. I always say we're going to make it to the Jersey shore more this summer... but we never seem to be able to make it as much as I'd like.

 Camille went to her very first, ever, sleep away camp with the Girl Scouts. I wasn't worried because she's spent time away from us, both with my parents and with friends, so she does fine with separation. My concerns were the very rustic accommodations and the severe weather we've been having on the East coast this summer. But, as you can see, she did fine and can't wait to go back next summer.

 JP had a few cool O&M trips this summer. One was to Johnson's Farm to pick peaches and blueberries. We were scheduled to pick Jersey sweet corn as well, but the field wasn't ready... kind of a bummer as our family loves summer corn! Oh well... it was a fun day of hayrides and picking and talking about farms and how food is grown.

 Another O&M trip was to the fire station.  JP LOVED this trip! The fire fighters were super nice and put on a good show for a VERY diverse group of blind children. The trip was open to preschoolers through high schoolers, so it was a balancing act to keep everyone engaged, but I thought they did a terrific job. JP got to try on the turnout gear. He said it smelled "smoky"... And indeed, it did!

We have about 3 more weeks until school starts. This is the last week of the summer recreation program. The summer whizzed by.... I guess they always kind of do.

Summer fun... Rec Camp!

First day and last day

Looking at the photos above makes me want to smile a little and cry a little. Both kids had SO MUCH growth this year... they did well and I am proud. It's the last time Camille will wear the St. Rose uniform. Next year she will join her brother at the public school. He will be in kindergarten and she will be in fourth grade... amongst the youngest and oldest kids. They Camille will move on to middle school, then be finished high school before JP enters.

Adaptive Sports

We LOVE adaptive sports! JP played TOP (Total Outreach Program) soccer this Spring as well as Challenger League t-ball. He also had the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics Summer Games for our state through the Young Athlete's Program.

Adaptive sports are so important for kids with disabilities. We're so thankful to the organizers, coaches, buddies and volunteers who make these adaptive programs available for our kids!

The Smart Braille - a sister's chance...

 

Marty's 2 weeks has come and gone in the blink of an eye! Although JP, and occasionally Mike, have been the focus of our time with the SMART Brailler, even Camille had a chance to spend a little time with Marty. See? ANYONE can learn Braille! Camille, age 8, especially enjoyed the APH learning module. She enjoyed the games that challenged her to learn the braille letters!

 

Marty will leave us this week, heading to Arlington Virginia for his next stop on his backpacking Brailler voyage. Thanks Wonderbaby and Perkins products for the opportunity to participate in this event! The entire Corman Family enjoyed Marty's visit and we all learned a whole lot too!

Please click on the photo above to learn more about Marty and the Backpacking SMART Brailler event!

Preschool Grad!

JP (center green chair) patiently waits for the preschool graduation ceremony to commence!

JP next to his best friend, Jackson. They'll be going to Kindergarten together next year.

JP & Mrs. Beach. She's been an incredible teacher for him these past 2 years and we're going to miss her a lot!

Mrs. Beach's class of 5 graduated from preschool yesterday. It was a bitter-sweet day as I am so thrilled about the growth JP has made and his opportunity to go to kindergarten with some friends. But he's my baby, and he's growing up. This was our last preschool graduation.

Congrats JP! Look out world... here he comes!

Wills Eye Institute

Doctors appointments are never very fun. Eye doctors appointments are even less so, especially when you have very little vision and your experience with eye doctors has included major trauma.

But JP goes... every 6 months. His exams include checking his prosthetic for fit and that everything looks healthy. He is checked for glaucoma and his overall eye health is assessed.

The visits are difficult. But, with time, it does get better. Today JP handled his eye appointment like a boss! He bravely faced the appointment, bribed by Mommy with a promise to take an extra ride on the elevator (one of his current loves) and, of course, the ever popular trip on the train.

In the "hot seat" at the eye doctor.

We also use trips into the city as an opportunity to practice O&M... Particularly cane travel. Some day, JP will rely on public transportation to get around. He loves to ride the high speed line, our local commuter train into the city. At just 5 years old, he's already pretty good at navigating the train station, finding the turnstile, tapping the card to open the turnstile, finding the stairs and locating the warning bumps on the platform, so he doesn't get too close to the tracks. He's made so much progress this year.  Today JP was extra "grown up" about his visit. He was a big boy, and Mommy is really proud!

At the speed line station in Philly, heading down to the platform and counting steps.

"Marty" the SMART Brailler... making homework fun!

The 2012-13 school year is winding down, but the homework continues.... And so it remains for Jon Paul, homework is a constant! Tonight we decided to do his Braille exercises on the SMART Brailler... WHAT A SUCCESS! JP was happy, engaged and actually ejoyed completing his homework! I hope his TVI (teacher of the visually impaired) can appreciate that, tonight, homework was engaging and FUN, with the help of the SMART Brailler! 

 

Please click on the photo above to learn more about Marty and the Backpacking SMART Brailler event!

Marty goes to the mall!

Marty goes to the mall??? Say what???

Jon Paul really wanted to share Marty with his friend Lily... but due to packed schedules (end of sports, dance recitals, end of the school year, ect...) We only had a tiny window... Saturday night. Unfortunately the local library closes early, so we decided to meet, of all places, at the mall food court. That's were Marty and Lily fell in love...

But I digress... This is Lily... She's a 5 year old preschooler who is visually impaired due to ROP... (aren't they cute?!)... Lily's mom, Lisa, would really like Lily to have the benefit of Braille. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend a little time with "Marty"...

Lily checks out Marty, with a little hand-over-hand help from mom...

Lily gets a closer look at Marty.



After a quick lesson, Lily, with the help of mom, Lisa went to town! Lisa did remark that she's never seen Lily so engaged with a Brailler before! Lily has little interest in her standard Perkins Brailler and she did well with the SMART Brailler's instant feedback.  We talked about the applications while Lily explored the SMART Brailler. After a bit, I brailled her name, L-I-L-Y... and when Marty ready it back, Lily squealed in delight! 

A fun evening out... another win for Marty!

Please click on the photo above to learn more about Marty and the Backpacking SMART Brailler event!