Dear Family and Friends,
Happy 2005! It seems like just yesterday I was composing 2004’s Coleman
family letter for the annual HAND (Heal Autism
Now Delaware) Rack ‘Em Up fundraiser! Last year I focused on
how HAND originated, so thought this
year I would provide a bit of HAND’s
work and mention that I am so very proud that
HAND remains completely volunteer with funds raised
immediately helping children with autism. And, of course I want to
update on Sean and Ryan!
Throughout the 4 years of HAND’s
existence we have focussed completely on directly impacting the lives of
children and their families. While long term public education and
widespread awareness is vital; helping children and families struggling
now is our main focus. HAND has
helped with the construction of classrooms for Son-Rise programs, the
support of teachers working directly with children, the purchasing of
occupational therapy equipment, horseback riding lessons, swimming
sessions, vision therapy, hearing therapy, non-verbal training, cranial
dynamics, bio-medical interventions, and nutritional supplements.
HAND has supplemented tuition at
pre-school, middle school, and at summer camps for children and their
helpers, as well as supplemented conference and training fees for
parents. We have met with state and federal representatives and senators
as well as key business leaders and Delaware’s governor.
HAND has hosted many conferences,
bringing in nationally and internationally recognized professionals to
help educate families and teachers on the most current nutritional,
biomedical, and non-invasive therapies to help their children.
Volunteers have been in the numerous newspapers, as well as on the radio
and television….and so much more!!! I wish you all could see the
beautiful smiles we are helping create!!
Sean is now 12 (almost 13) years old…hard to believe for even me! He is
in 6th grade at Learning Dynamics and doing fabulously!! Because he
conquered many remaining social challenges last year, I am taking this
year to figure out his true academics and he is amazing me!! Though a
bit difficult to explain, the school program is actual one-one tutoring
with social time with other children (in the same program) in between
sessions. We also do still supplement his schooling with a home Son-Rise
program. Imagine at 6 years’ old, the “experts” said he’d be permanently
institutionalized by now! Instead…he’s in braces, quickly learned
horseback riding this fall, swims beautifully, is a computer whiz (helps
me sometimes), loves movies, reading and 1000 piece puzzles, and is
making his confirmation in April. Sean’s sense of humor and laughter are
quite contagious, especially when his voice cracks!
Ryan just turned 10 and is really my hero. His ability to try, try, try,
try, and try again - with little frustration – teaches me daily that
while obstacles can be overcome…for some people it just takes longer
than others. His verbal apraxia (oral motor control issue) continues to
make speech more difficult than it was for Sean, but he can now readily
and very willingly repeat everything he hears. And…language spontaneity
is coming. Best buddy Grandpa, I and 8 other people still work with Ryan
at home with the goal of the return to school when he’s ready. He
continues to love to swim, the trampoline, is a great hiker, and snow
tubing. Ryan has developed a love for 76r’s basketball, yet Disney
movies remain a favorite. New Year’s day morning he said his first
lengthy sentence to me. I listened through tears of joy as it took him a
full minute to get the 11 words out…to me it was like a spectacular
symphony!
Last year I gave tribute to my parents and wanted this year to take a
moment to mention Keeley, Patrick, and Kevin…truly the most incredible
set of siblings Sean and Ryan could have. Over almost a decade they’ve
watched us cry tears of the unknown and then joy as we found ways to
help Sean and Ryan. I would be remiss if I did not honor their courage,
their spirit, their friendship, their love and their dedication to
helping us help Sean and Ryan become who they are today.
As I say each year, your belief in the work of
The HAND Foundation and in Sean and Ryan, as well as your
generous support is truly inspiring and enabling “over the rainbow”
dreams to come true!
HOPING TO SEE YOU ON MARCH 5, 2005!!!