Pad4Nat
Donation protected
Our beautiful daughter Natalie was born in May of 2008. We didn't know there was anything wrong for a few months, and by 9 months she was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality called partial trisomy 13.
Natalie has had slow but consistent development, never regressing and always moving along, slow and steady. She has gotten therapy since she was 10 months old, and at 3 began going to a special education preschool 3 hours per day. Her gross motor development is very good; she compares to other children around 3 years of age. In order areas, she is farther behind, from about a 12 month level to close to 3. Even though she is to turn 5 in just a few weeks, she has yet to speak a word; we do not know when or if she will ever speak. We know from pointing and following verbal directions that she understand a great deal, but in unable to convey emotions or more complex thoughts or desires outside of what she can point to or direct us toward (she will take up by the hand and drag us to the puzzle shelf, the pantry, or the back door to play outside). We began looking into communication systems after talking with her speech therapist. They are using a classroom communication device during speech therapy and seeing progress. However, for at home use, we do not have a device, and want to get Natalie a tablet with a speech program so that she has nearly limitless options, and so it is portable and easy for her to use (as opposed to the heavy, low-tech items used in her classrooms).
We witness her frustration daily, which comes in the form of crying and tantrums when she simply cannot communicate her desires and emotions. We have been blessed with the gift of a specialized speech application for iPad that comes loaded with 11,000 words, and has the ability to add an unlimited number of custom words. However, we do not have an iPad on which to use the application.
Natalie is such a happy child. She is just full of joy, and her smile is contagious. She loves puzzles and spends hours each day doing puzzles. She also has a love of music, and listens to music for hours while she does puzzles or plays with toys, and at night when she falls asleep. She adores her big sister, and always has to know where Julie is and what she is doing. I know that Natalie will blossom with access to an easy to use communication device, and I am so excited to see her face when she pushes that button and hears her thought come out of the speaker, for all of us to hear.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for your kindness and generosity.
(Page created for the Shock family by friend, Kelly McClintock)
Natalie has had slow but consistent development, never regressing and always moving along, slow and steady. She has gotten therapy since she was 10 months old, and at 3 began going to a special education preschool 3 hours per day. Her gross motor development is very good; she compares to other children around 3 years of age. In order areas, she is farther behind, from about a 12 month level to close to 3. Even though she is to turn 5 in just a few weeks, she has yet to speak a word; we do not know when or if she will ever speak. We know from pointing and following verbal directions that she understand a great deal, but in unable to convey emotions or more complex thoughts or desires outside of what she can point to or direct us toward (she will take up by the hand and drag us to the puzzle shelf, the pantry, or the back door to play outside). We began looking into communication systems after talking with her speech therapist. They are using a classroom communication device during speech therapy and seeing progress. However, for at home use, we do not have a device, and want to get Natalie a tablet with a speech program so that she has nearly limitless options, and so it is portable and easy for her to use (as opposed to the heavy, low-tech items used in her classrooms).
We witness her frustration daily, which comes in the form of crying and tantrums when she simply cannot communicate her desires and emotions. We have been blessed with the gift of a specialized speech application for iPad that comes loaded with 11,000 words, and has the ability to add an unlimited number of custom words. However, we do not have an iPad on which to use the application.
Natalie is such a happy child. She is just full of joy, and her smile is contagious. She loves puzzles and spends hours each day doing puzzles. She also has a love of music, and listens to music for hours while she does puzzles or plays with toys, and at night when she falls asleep. She adores her big sister, and always has to know where Julie is and what she is doing. I know that Natalie will blossom with access to an easy to use communication device, and I am so excited to see her face when she pushes that button and hears her thought come out of the speaker, for all of us to hear.Thank you for reading, and thank you for your kindness and generosity.
(Page created for the Shock family by friend, Kelly McClintock)
Organizer
Kelly Mason McClintock
Organizer
Maryland, MD