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In Step with Life (by Bill Torpy) (Edited and Reproduced with Permission from the Atlanta Journal Constitution) Learning to fall was crucial. The laws of physics are unyielding. Elizabeth Smith knows that well. An artificial leg rises nearly to her hip. And she must maneuver without the balance of arms. A scar on her chin tells of face-first collisions. But with time, Smith got good at falling, learning to land on her rear. Once she mastered falling, she had to learn to pick herself up. Smith has been doing that since March 24, 1983, when, as a Dekalb County kindergartner, she stepped on a fallen power line. Her missing arms may be more striking, but it's the high amputation of her left leg that presents much of the problem. Relearning to walk was a natural first step in her quest toward being normal. She likes to hear she can't do something. Proving doubters wrong has always spurred he on. Smith, now 26, has a master's degree and teaches children with speech delays. She thrives on teaching others to pick themselves up. Jordan is in Smith's make shift speech therapy room listening to Smith's instructions. "Breathe from your stomach." "Smooth, easy speech." Sometimes she'll tap him on the shoulder with the big toe of her right foot to remind him. She is empathetic, yet demanding. "I got bumpy on that one," says Jordan with a smile. Smith is drawn to children who stutter, because they get singled out. She knows what it's like. Jordan says he was a little scared of his speech teacher. "I never saw anyone in my life with their arms cut off." One day, some of his classmates giggled at Smith as she walked by. "I told them they can not make fun of my speech teacher. Something might happen to you some day." Smith beams listening to her defender. People have rallied around her for years Twenty years ago, the public was compelled to reach out to a blond-haired girl with a gap-toothed grin and soft green eyes. Atlanta Braves star, Dale Murphy, visited her at Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. Colleen O'Berry, Elizabeth's therapist, asked him to hit a home run for Elizabeth when she visited him at the ball park. Murphy hit two. "She's one of my idols," he said. The story made the "Today" show. Others remember her for different reasons. To this date, veteran Dekalb school officials think about her every time they consider calling a snow day. It was snowing the day Elizabeth Smith's life changed forever. Eight inches of wet snow fell and thunder rumbled. A 20,000 volt distribution line fell at 11:30 a.m. near a neighbor's house. Smith recalls seeing friends walk down the street to a girlfriend's house two doors down. Wanting to join them, she cut across the street and stepped on a section of line covered by snow. The electricity fired through the girl's body resulting in the loss of both arms and a high amputation of her left leg. Elizabeth endured painful exercises to strengthen muscles in what was left of her left leg and to build maximum strength and flexibility in her right leg, her sole limb. She would become quite adept at completing tasks with it. Her youth was an advantage. Her leg was pliable and she was an eager learner. Six weeks after the accident, Elizabeth was ready for a trial weekend at home. She never returned to the hospital. The day after returning home, Elizabeth was invited to a classmate's birthday party. Mrs. Smith suggested her daughter stay home, worried the stares might unnerve the girl. Elizabeth was resolute. "I'm going," she insisted. She set the tone that day. Smith returned to school the following fall. When she was 16, she watched her friends get driver's licenses. She worked on learning to drive a reconfigured minivan. A mouthpiece started the vehicle and put it into gear. A joystick on the floor operated by her foot controlled accelerating, stopping and steering. "I don't know how she did it, but she drove that van well," said the state trooper who approved her driver's license. "She's never been defeated," says her father. Smith started teaching in 2001; teachers and students quickly embraced her. Smith lives in a basement apartment in her parents' home. The apartment, has a low-slung countertop and sink built for her to prepare food. Smith often entertains friends. She has a circle of friends from high school and college (she attended Georgia Tech and Georgia State University) as well as colleagues with whom she teaches. Her ultimate goals are simple: independence and to find a soul mate. Her older sister, Michelle, lives on her own and Smith also wants to move out. "I can't live with my parents forever. Now, they're always here if I need them. I think I need to move away from that safety net." I have my master's degree; I have a job and moving out seems like that next step." It's a big step. But Elizabeth is not afraid to fall. Lekotek Celebrates Twentieth Anniversary Please visit our web page for summer festivities celebrating Lekotek's twentieth anniversary. From humble beginnings in the basement of Easter Seals, Lekotek's Cliff Valley location now occupies 3,000 square feet. In addition, four satellites in Alpharetta, Duluth, Kennesaw and Athens, coupled with the main site, provide services to four hundred families each year. In 1983, the hourly play session was the one and only service provided to 52 children. Today, in addition to borrowing adapted toys and educational materials, computers with adapted input devices and specialized software are loaned. Family members participate in support groups for moms, dads, siblings and grandparents, while children with special needs benefit from neonatal play sessions, computer evaluations, summer computer camp, Compuplay, an inclusion project, Happy Tails Pet Therapy, overnight camping trips, music classes, art play dates and play groups. While our initial budget was $40,000, today it exceeds $400,000. Our board of directors numbered six; today it numbers fifteen (with an accompanying funding advisory). You might think that Lekotek has changed. But Lekotek has not changed. Our mission to include children into their families, schools and communities remains constant. Lekotek's niche remains unique. Children's abilities are highlighted as toys, games and computer access are adapted to promote success and inclusive play with siblings and peers. Success leads to confidence, greater independence and mastery of new skills. It has been my pleasure and privilege to facilitate Lekotek's mission for twenty years. Special Events - A Successful Part of Lekotek's Fundraising Efforts Threatening skies and tornado watches could not dampen the Fourth Annual Lekotek Golf Classic held May 5th. With a record number of golfers (88) the event was successful in raising $12,000. I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of staff member, Maggie Parry, along with the entire staff and efforts of Carl Valentino, a past board member and current member of the advisory board. In difficult economic times, Lekotek appreciates the generous and continued support of all its sponsors throughout the year and recognizes the following sponsors of the golf event: Balentine & Company, Jeff Woodlee Photography, Gecko Logos, The Pearl Family, The Brewster Family, The Killen Family, The Ballew Family, Charles Schwab, Steve Scharlau, AGA Insurance, Pittman Construction, William Hungeling, Sherrill and Hutchins, The Maslia Foundation, Fred Alger, American Express Tax & Business Services, The Covenant Group, The Alexander Hamilton Institute, Oak Grove Market, Precision Medical, Valentino Sales, Berry Realty, Violette Restaurant, Sign Central, Fidelity Investments, Marvin F. Poer & Company, Suwanee Realty, Southern Catholic College and Chris BMW. Mark your calendars for the upcoming eleventh annual Race and Silent Auction to be held Saturday, September 13th at the Concourse Corporate Center. If you would like to participate in the four mile or one mile run, volunteer or sponsor the race, please contact our office. With waiting lists at several sites, funds raised from special events are allocated to direct services. We look forward to your continued support insuring the success of special events and Lekotek's ability to make a difference for additional families. My Family - The Caldwell's (By Sam) Hi! My name is Samantha Caldwell. I have been coming to Lekotek for two years. My twin sister, Nicole, and even my older brother and sister love to come with me. We love to play with Peggy! Miss Peggy has taught Nicole, my Mom and me lots of things. She taught us how to access the computer using a touch screen, switch and trackball. We play this cool computer game with frogs eating flies! It's our favorite because it makes us laugh really hard. I don't think Mom thought I could use a computer at such a young age. Miss Peggy also shares her toys with us. And boy does she have lots of toys! My Mom takes the toys to our house and we get to play with them for awhile. If I really like something, my Mom tries to find one just like it for me to keep. My Mom likes playing with Miss Peggy because she has great ideas. Mom likes Lekotek because we learn while we're having fun. Miss Peggy treats me just like Nicole. (Not everybody does that!) I am pretty sure she knows I have cerebral palsy and all that other stuff Mom tells doctors and therapists but she treats me just like a regular kid. I love Miss Peggy and Lekotek for all they do just for me! Software of the Month: Who Wants to be a Millionaire Who Wants To Be a Millionaire is a favorite of Lekotek grads who enjoy Sunday computer club. The game comes to life with Regis, lifelines and the fastest finger question to see who will play first. One million dollars (that's virtual dollars) can be yours if you answer all 15 questions correctly. Compete against the computer or pack lots of people around the keyboard and play against each other. Either way, the game is always challenging with hundreds of questions that become increasingly more difficult as you approach the one million dollar question. Players use the keyboard selecting letters, A, B, C or D for their answers and letters Y or N to answer Regis. L selects the use of Lifelines which include 50/50, calling a friend or polling the audience. Children unable to physically type their answers can participate by using intellikeys that function as a keyboard. Intellikeys' overlays can be custom made for any program. [Intellikeys has a] keyboard with an overlay of the keys necessary to play Who Wants To Be a Millionaire. The targets are much larger, making it possible for all kids to participate together. Visit club and you'll find 5-6 kids taking turns using the keyboard and intellikeys, trying to win a million dollars. If they win, I assume they'll split the proceeds and include Lekotek.
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