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Sing to the tune of A Few of My Favorite Things.  “Physical therapy, musical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, play groups and Therapeutic Case Managers - these are a few of our favorite things//baseball and swimming and horses and sprinting, summer programs and respite and egg hunts and picnics, extended school year and pizza pig outs - these are a few of our favorite things//When the doubts come, when we fall down, when the news is bad- we simply remember our favorite things and then we don’t feel so sad/TV and FM system, and Penny Power and HCBS, Assistive technology, prune juice, and sign language, friendships and summer camp and neighborhood association - these are a few of our favorite things//When we feel glum, when we feel dumb, when we’re feeling numb -  we simply remember our favorite things and then we don’t feel so mad//When the tonsils had to go, when the people say ‘no,’ when we’re being slow, we simply remember our favorite things and then we just feel so glad.”

The Penny Power is Tavrick’s “job.”  He is “employed” by his sister for assisting with her paper route.  Tavrick is approaching life with will power and adventure.   A troop of caring, exhausted and sometimes overwhelmed family and friends is there as his support system.   The programs of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Wichita, the National Down Syndrome Society, Families Together, State of Kansas, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, ARC of Sedgwick County (Tavrick received their 2005 Young Achiever’s Award), USD 259 - Department of Special Education, Special Olympics, Sedgwick County CDDO, PEAK Parents, Rainbows United, Cerebral Palsy Camp, Heartspring, and Sedgwick County Early Childhood Council are part of his story.   Tavrick is attending his neighborhood school and his progress is great due in large part to a remarkable paraprofessional, Dr. Shirley Langford, who  rolled up her metaphorical sleeves and got to work educating him.

Life is a leap of faith that all children will live rosy and bright existences.  With this utopian vision of a terrific world that awaits Tavrick etched into our minds we go leaping into the future.  We hope that the very best that life has to offer comes his way.

 

Tavrick is a child with Down Syndrome.  This was written by his mother, Anita Raghavan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Families Together Christmas Party A Big Success!

Submitted by Merlin Lockett, Kansas City Center

 

It’s amazing that we think of many things as being minute or beneath notice, yet for children with special needs they mean the world. The Families Together Inc, Kansas City team held their sixth annual Christmas party for children with special needs and their families.  The accumulating snow did not stop anyone from enjoying themselves; nor, could the cold Kansas wind be heard or felt as families enjoyed the event made possible by our many community friends.

 

During this year’s party the many donations provided the more than one hundred children not only gifts but also provided them and their families with snacks, entertainment, crafts, lots of love, fun and understanding, making the day a big success. No one noticed the children’s disabilities or that they were different colors, shapes and sizes. The children’s individual abilities shone brightly. A parent, who thought her child did not want to participate in a group music activity, went away with a sense of pride when she let go and allowed her child to decide if he wanted to participate or not; it was a learning and heart warming experience for mom.

 

For helping to make our 6^th annual Christmas party a success, Families Together Inc., the amazing children and their parents would like to thank our community friends, for their generous donations in making this event a big success. Fort Riley Operation Santa Claus, for the toys they donated for the 6^th year; First Baptist Church for the space to have the party; Jay Wolfe Chevrolet’s generous monetary donation; Wal-Mart and Target’s donation gift cards, to purchase items for older children; Costco; Sam’s Club; Red X, and Happy Foods donation of gift cards, to purchase the food and other supplies needed. Special thanks to Jim Cosgrove, better known as Mr. Stinky feet, for keeping the kids entertained and letting them participate with instrumental effects, songs and dance, last but not least Sam Stillwell, as Santa Claus, for his patience with the little ones and big ones, listening to each and every one share what they wanted for Christmas, and posing for the famous snapshot on Santa’s lap.

 

The things that many may take for granted as being minute – a song, a gift, a hug, a photo with Santa—are very big to others. Once again a “Very Big Thank You”, to all of our community partners for another successful event.

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