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May 2008
Jeffrey will be graduating from middle next month.
Jeffrey is excited about attending Edison High School
next school year. This summer Jeffrey will be a
counselor-in-training (CIT) with the Camp James program.
Jeffrey is eager to have his first work experience. This
month he will take a refresher course in CPR and First
Aid which is required for each CIT, Jeffrey initiated
applying for this volunteer experience and was very
independent through the interview process. We are just
working out the details of how to handle his personal
care issues. Besides working this summer Jeffrey plans
to attend at least one residential camp himself.
February 2008
Jeffrey had a fabulous Christmas. According to Jeffrey his favorite gift was his cell phone. I am surprised how well he can use it. Even with his physical disability and visual impairment Jeffrey is now quite proficient at using the small buttons on the phone for both phone calls and text messaging. Definitely where there is a will there is a way! E-mail Jeffrey if you would like his cell phone number. I am sure he would love to have some new friends to text message, even better all text messaging on our plan is FREE!
Jeffrey enjoyed some skiing in Big Bear this month. He was invited to the Big Bear Adapted Ski School where two volunteers helped Jeffrey use the sit-down ski equipment. Jeffrey loved the adventure of skiing in the freezing snow, going down the hills, and even falling off of his equipment! This program has been a wonderful way from some of our more physically disabled children to experience winter sports. Jeffrey says he would also like to try other "extreme wheelchair sports" including white water river rafting and sky diving!
Jeffrey continues to participate in the MYART Theater productions. He recently finished the production of "Sound of Music" and will soon start rehearsals for "Annie." Jeffrey has a big personality and is definitely a natural on stage!
February 2008
Jeffrey had a fabulous Christmas. According to Jeffrey his favorite gift was his cell phone. I am surprised how well he can use it. Even with his physical disability and visual impairment Jeffrey is now quite proficient at using the small buttons on the phone for both phone calls and text messaging. Definitely where there is a will there is a way! E-mail Jeffrey if you would like his cell phone number. I am sure he would love to have some new friends to text message, even better all text messaging on our plan is FREE!
Jeffrey enjoyed some skiing in Big Bear this month. He was invited to the Big Bear Adapted Ski School where two volunteers helped Jeffrey use the sit-down ski equipment. Jeffrey loved the adventure of skiing in the freezing snow, going down the hills, and even falling off of his equipment! This program has been a wonderful way from some of our more physically disabled children to experience winter sports. Jeffrey says he would also like to try other "extreme wheelchair sports" including white water river rafting and sky diving!
Jeffrey continues to participate in the MYART Theater productions. He recently finished the production of "Sound of Music" and will soon start rehearsals for "Annie." Jeffrey has a big personality and is definitely a natural on stage!
September 2007
Jeffrey started eighth grade this month. He is excited about this, especially being able to help out his younger brothers around campus. There are five brothers who are new to middle school and all of their questions are keeping Jeffrey very busy! Jeffrey is also enjoying having his friend Corey come over after school. Jeffrey says that doing homework is so much more fun with a friend! Jeffrey is looking forward to starting another production with MYART. Rehearsals for "The Sound of Music" begins later this month. Jeffrey is still deciding if he will be auditioning for a lead part in the show.
July 2007
Jeffrey is having a great summer. He spent a couple weeks at day camp and a week at sleep-over camp. Jeffrey has also been attending summer school in between. The best part of summer so far for Jeffrey is visiting with his sister, Bethany. Bethany flew in from out of state to hang out at the beach with Jeffrey and Jonathan. Jeffrey loves his sister and looks forward to her yearly visits. So far he has gone to several movies and restaurants with Bethany. The whole gang will be going to Medieval Times tonight for a dinner and a show! Its great to see Jeffrey so happy and enthusiastic about hanging out with his siblings.
February 2007
Jeffrey had a tendon release on his left wrist and thumb in January. The purpose of the surgery was to give Jeffrey increased range-of-motion on his paralyzed left side. Following the out-patient surgery and then wearing the cast for about a month, it was determined that the procedure was a success. While the hand on Jeffrey's left side will never have the same ability as the non-effected hand on the right side, the good new is that Jeffrey can now use his left hand to operate his power wheelchair, thereby freeing up his intact right hand to hold items or do other tasks while he is in motion. Jeffrey was very pleased with the outcome of the surgery and is now talking about joining the marching band in high school. He will be able to "march" (drive his power wheelchair) with his left hand while playing the baritone horn with his right hand! That Jeffrey, he is always thinking!!
December 2006
Jeffrey filmed a New Years special for the Disney Channel in late October. The shoot was for two days and Jeffrey met many of Disney Channel's child actors. Jeffrey has also been rehearsing for the MYART production of "Peter Pan." Besides acting, Jeffrey keeps busy with school work. He recently received the assistance of a peer tutor which will help greatly. We are proud to say that Jeffrey was the Student of the Month at Sowers Middle School in November.
October 2006
Jeffrey spent some time in the recording studio this summer singing back-up vocals on our new family CD which is slated to come out after the new year. Jeffrey enjoyed learning about how music is recorded and vocal tracks can be reworked to create just the right sound.
Jeffrey also enjoyed a week-long visit with his biological sister, Bethany. Bethany lives out of state and is able to visit about once a year. Both Jonathan and Jeffrey look forward to Bethany's visits and spend much of the time reminiscing about their early childhood together. The boys took Bethany to Disneyland, Catalina Island and many other Southern California hot spots.
This month Jeffrey will be auditioning for a lead role in the upcoming MYART production of "Peter Pan."
July 2006
Jeffrey is relaxing summer. He has attended several
camps which Jeffrey enjoyed. We would like to have Jeffrey
attend more summer camps, especially residential camps.
The problem is that Jeffrey's health-care needs often
preclude him attending some local camp programs.
Jeffrey is very excited
about visiting with his sister, Bethany, this month. He
has been talking about having another visit with Bethany
since her visit last summer. Jeffrey also looks forward to
having an opportunity to visit with his biological
brother, Justin, as well. Jeffery and Jonathan both enjoy
these sibling visits. It can be difficult to schedule a
visit with everyone scattered all over but we are trying
to make an effort once or twice a year.
Update: March 2006
Jeffrey is busy rehearsing for the MYART production of "Alice in Wonderland." Jeffrey not only goes to several practices a week but he can be heard throughout the day singing the various show tunes! Although Jeffrey loves acting and singing, he says he would like to be a veterinarian when he grows-up.
Jeffrey seems to be adjusting to his decreased eye sight. He is still able to use his power wheelchair to get around the house and in the community. Jeffrey says that he "misses being able to read just any old book." Now every text must be enlarged for him. We hope to hook him up with the National Library Service for the Blind very soon. This way Jeffrey will have access to books-on-tape and enlarged text books. Since reading is one of Jeffrey's passions, we are sure he will be happy to have access to appropriate reading materials again!
February 2006
It has been a rocky road for Jeffrey during the past six months. During the summer, he had to have two emergency shunt revisions within a month. Jeffrey did not have any of the normal signs or symptoms of a shunt malfunction (vomiting, headaches, stiff neck, etc.) instead Jeffrey noticed a change in his vision. By the time Jeffrey reported this vision change to anyone, his vision had gone from 20/20 in both eyes to 20/400 in both eyes! The pressure caused by the malfunctioning shunt caused severe damage to both of his eyes. The first surgery did not solve the malfunctioning problem and Jeffrey had to have emergency surgery again to try to repair the shunt. Although, thankfully, the shunt is now working properly, Jeffrey's vision is so damaged that he is considered "legally blind." Initially, it was hoped that Jeffrey would regain all or at least some of his vision, but unfortunately, it appears that Jeffrey's vision will continue to decline. Jeffrey is handling this situation amazingly well, although it seems he probably doesn't completely understand the global effects of his vision loss.
Jeffrey is now learning how to use special equipment at school to help with his academics and mobility. Jeffrey still has enough vision to drive his power wheelchair, he now needs a buddy to walk along side him. We will have to continue to monitor Jeffrey's vision and his shunts in an attempt to avoid future medical emergencies.
In September, Jeffrey did enjoy a wonderful weekend with his biological brother, Justin, and his biological sister, Bethany, along with Jonathan. It was the first time all four of the biological siblings had been together in several years. Jeffrey said it felt like a "family reunion." All four of the kids enjoyed the weekend together reminiscing about the times when they were all in the same house. After the visit, Justin decided that he may join our family after he completes high school in June. Bethany has decided to remain in Colorado but will keep in contact via phone calls and letters. All four agreed to keep in regular contact and to try to get together several times a year. It was great to be able to facilitate that reunion and to know that these siblings now have an opportunity to maintain their relationship.
 
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