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Contents: Chicken Soup for the Soul The year was 1963. I was born to "perfectly normal" parents at a Cleveland hospital. I would like to say that I was a "perfectly normal" baby, ready to take on the world. But I was born with multiple physical disabilities. My eyes were on the sides of my head and I only had holes where my nose should have been. I had a club foot and a cleft palate. One leg was shorter than the other and I was missing all but one toe, if you could call it that. The hospital staff thought I had too may problems to possibly survive. The doctors, in fact, refused to show me to my parents and incredulously, gave my parents forms to sign to "give me up for science." I can only thank God that my parents had other plans for my life. I belonged to them and they intended to love and accept me as I was despite a long, hard road. At seven months I began a long series of operations. The first seven were deemed failures. The surgeons were trying to do too much at one time and I on the other hand was like a puzzle that needed to be put together one piece at a time. While successive surgeries were a little more successful, my appearance was far from normal. When I began kindergarten I was placed in special education because my appearance and imperfect speech were unacceptable. I often wondered if I would ever get out of special classes. My desire to be a "normal" child prompted my parents to pursue tests that would place me back in regular education. My parents and I worked very hard for that test and finally the testing date arrived. I'll never forget the day I waited outside the principal's office while my parents received the test results. My mother finally emerged with a tear streaming down her cheek. I thought, "oh no" but to my relief the principal put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Welcome to 3B." Another milestone in fourth grade was the "miracle" my parents and I had longed for. I was selected to undergo experimental surgery that would resculpt my entire face. The ten hour surgery was life-threatening. I survived this operation, my eighteenth and the one that really changed my life. With this success, however, I had not seen the end of my trials. Within the next few years, my mother developed cancer and died, but not before instilling in me a sense of worth and determination to never give up. When other kids had called me names, she told me to feel sorry for them and not myself. In addition, my parents taught me to be thankful for my blessings, pointing out that there were others who had even greater challenges than I did. As a teenager I volunteered to help children with disabilities. I came to realize that my purpose in life was to help others become successful with whatever gifts they were blessed with despite a society that would focus on their shortcomings. In fact my dad advised, "Mike, you would make a great special education teacher." I simply wasn't ready to make teaching my career choice at that point. Instead, I earned a degree in business and went on to become a very successful salesman. I then was very successful in banking as a loan officer. Still, something in my life was missing. Despite the fact that I had married a special education teacher, it took me twelve years to realize that my dad had been right. Pursuing a master's degree in education, I now teach a kaleidoscope of children with special needs. My newest career is my most challenging yet and the most rewarding. I've gone through twenty nine surgeries and many have brought great pain. The fact that I have survived them all only seems to reiterate that there is a unique purpose for my life and for every other life. I see my purpose fulfilled one child at a time. I may not have been a "perfectly normal" healthy baby, but I am ready to take on the world - thanks to people like my mom. The ninth annual Lekotek four mile road race and one mile fun run were off to an early start this spring when The Marcus Foundation once again agreed to be the presenting sponsor and Stoney River Legendary Steaks volunteered to cater the finish line party. With over 500 runners, this year's run was the largest to date. We would like to acknowledge the following sponsors whose generous contributions raised nearly $50,000: Siemens, First Union, Marietta Diner, The Atlanta Falcons, Career Sports Management, Elan Pharmaceuticals, Saab, Ford Motor Company, Burnham Builders, Mark Pope Associates, Pittman Construction, QuickTrip, Unimed Solvay, RegionsBank, American Elevator, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Deloitte Consulting, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Automated Logic, Schering, Victor Realty, Trammell Crow, David's Renovations, Cushing & Morris, Sprint PCS, Roche Laboratories, Suwanee Realty, Resource Valley, Wyeth-Ayerst, Hatcher Homes, Szabo Associates, Herman Enterprises, Prudential, Pfizer, Stu's Salon, Hennessy Lexus, Bayer, MJ Soffe, Sign Central, Power Bar, The Concourse Athletic Club and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. A silent auction was held in conjunction with the run and items included services, dinners, weekend getaways, tickets, subscriptions and sports memorabilia. Lekotek appreciates the support of over 300 businesses, in and outside Atlanta, who generously donated items helping to raise $20,000. The success of these events will make it possible to provide services to children currently on the waiting list. The board acknowledges the efforts of staff members, Peggy McWilliams and Maggie Parry, whose dedicated efforts made the auction both fun and fundraising. We would also like to thank members of the Tucker Optimist Club and members of the Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton for their volunteer efforts which helped to insure a well-organized event. Lekotek of Georgia's Executive Director Receives Lekotek Founder's Award The National Lekotek Center selected Helene Prokesch to receive The Lekotek Founder's Award. The award was presented last month in Evanston, IL at the National Lekotek meeting. Helen McCarthy, Executive Director of National, presented the award with the following remarks: "Tonight I have the privilege of presenting the Lekotek Founder's Award. This honor was initiated last year to celebrate Lekotek's twentieth anniversary. Sally deVincentis and Sharon Draznin, the founders of Lekotek in the United States, were its first recipients. The Founder's Award was established to honor an individual whose vision has facilitated accessible play and the inclusion of children with disabilities into their families and communities. It is our way of recognizing cutting edge technology and creativity combined with action that makes a difference for children and families. Helene exemplifies the qualities of leadership and vision that the original founders brought to Lekotek. Lekotek of Georgia has provided services to over 2,500 children. Helene has provided leadership not only in the state of Georgia but throughout the country. She has been successful in securing financial and community support making it possible to implement diverse and valuable programs which include summer computer camp, art camp, Lekomusic, overnight camping trips and share groups for moms, dads, siblings and even grandparents. She is well respected in the area of technology encouraging staff to create software and products which make it possible for children with disabilities to participate with siblings at home and peers in school. And she has accomplished all this while conducting play sessions with her own caseload of families. Last but not least Helene has a passion for Lekotek that is limitless. For your work by day and dreams at night, I am very honored to present you with the Lekotek Founder's Award." Family of the Month: Meet the Sparks Every parent dreams of having a happy, healthy normal baby. During a routine ultrasound taken in the seventh month of my pregnancy, my husband and I were surprised when the doctor told us something might be wrong with our baby. Test results indicated that our baby would have Down syndrome. Although we had several months to prepare for our child's birth, we were nonetheless apprehensive of the unknown. Victoria was born May 21, 1997 into a loving family and she was a happy, healthy, "normal" baby. Through our research we learned that she would live a typical life and bring love and joy to our family. We have found this to be true and in turn Victoria is thriving in a loving and supportive family. Today, Victoria is an energetic, spirited, lovable four year old. She enjoys dressing up, tea parties, computer games, Disney and playing with her dog, "Lilly". She attends preschool in our county and we are told that she is the "mother hen" of the class. Victoria benefits from speech, occupational, physical therapy and early intervention services from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. In addition, she enjoys hippo and aquatic therapy. And we are grateful to be a part of the Lekotek family. Our family has participated in play sessions since Victoria was six months old. Our first Lekotek leader, Rowena Rampersad, guided us with appropriate toys and resources which we believe continue to secure her bright future. Today, Victoria loves to see what new games and computer activities, Kristen has waiting. The Lekotek Run, Happy Tail Saturdays and Art/Music camp are priorities and events we never miss. Thank you Lekotek for all the activities you sponsor for so many families and for always being there for our family. (The Sparks were given permission to miss this year's Lekotek run as mom, Crystal, was only days away from giving birth to Alyssa Catherine, a healthy, eight pound baby girl.) Toy of the Month: The Sort 'n Go Assortment Car This versatile brightly colored car presents a variety of activities helping children practice eye-hand coordination, develop cause and effect and learn the names of common shapes and colors all while listening and learning the melodies of familiar songs. The light blue windows of the yellow car provide a clear cue of where each shape piece fits. The selector switch determines whether shapes are named or a melody played when pieces are correctly placed in the car windows. If the auditory feedback is distracting to the child, it can be turned off. The shapes all fit into an easy to open trunk for storage. Play can be expanded by stacking the pieces or using them to cut play dough. The car can be used as a pull toy or for pretend play as you load your "suitcases" of shapes for a family vacation. Batteries are included. This toy is made by VTech and is available from local toy stores. The Sort 'n go Assortment Car was featured in the Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently Abled Kids sponsored by Toys R Us and The National Lekotek Center.
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