Chasing Rainbows: Life...and Love...Goes On...

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Life...and Love...Goes On...

This morning we had a reunion! Miss Christi, Gavin's former Early Intervention teacher, came back as Brian's teacher! We were so happy to see her. I could tell that Brian remembered her right away, even though he played shy in the beginning. And Gavin - he was probably confused why "his Miss Christi" wasn't paying attention to him!

Christi followed Brian as he played and he was quite a show off - jumping around and even throwing in some comedic pratfalls. He did a great job imitating animal sounds and following directions...and even did some pretending! Christi left me with the following recommendations which I thought were very clever. One was to put Brian's snack cup or milk out of reach - like on the mantle, so he can see it but he'd have to ask for it. Or, to put only a little bit of milk or snacks in there so it empties quicker. This gives him more opportunities to communicate with us that he wants more. She also suggested that we create opportunities to use words in succession - like when I am blowing bubbles and have him "pop-pop-pop". Or when we pretend we're an animal eating and we say "chomp-chomp-chomp". I've noticed that when I say the same word over and over, Brian wants to try to imitate that. He really did a great job today and just ate up all the individual attention.

After lunch, Gavin and I went shopping together at the mall for an hour while Brian took a nap - and then I brought Gavin home and took Brian to the grocery store to pick up something for our dinner! I feel so grateful that I can have someone here with me each day, allowing me to do things with the boys one and one like that. We really enjoyed our time together.

As I type this, Gavin and Brian are playing...and there is a woman in my dining room shopping for clothes for her first daughter - due in December. I'm letting her shop in peace as she creates a pretty large pile of things she wants - but also keeping a bit of distance so I don't get teary eyed. She is really very sweet. I feel happy that Darcy's clothes are going to a lucky little girl this Christmas.

I may have to ask for frequent pictures.

Life...and love...goes on.

1 comment:

apilloSeptember 6, 2013 at 7:11 PM
Wow! Those are great ideas for prompting speech...I will use those with my son!! Thanks!
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Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!