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November 2009
Jordan is loving middle school. He thinks its great to be able to walk to school. He also appreciates not having a one-to-one instructional aide assisting him throughout the day. Jordan says his favorite class is science!
We recently filmed an episode of the new reality show "Bank of Hollywood." Jordan enjoyed the rehearsals and the actual day of filming. Jordan enjoys acting and the whole production of putting a television show together. He doesn't mind the waiting or the many retakes. In fact he takes in all in stride and wishes we could film something everyday!
April 2009
Jordan is getting ready for a MYART production of "Alice In Wonderland." Currently he is in the middle of "hell week" and is surviving nightly rehearsals and stressed out directors! Jordan has been very pleasant about the whole experience and takes the added work in stride. In the meantime Jordan has been rehearsing with the family band. Jordan has become quite good on drums after over two years of private lessons. Jordan is able to play his drums with the older brothers playing guitar and keyboard. Amazingly the boys' music is coming together and actually sounds pretty good.
Jordan started a Twitter account under the name "JordanDrums" at
Twitter.com. Follow Jordan for daily updates. This should be fun since Jordan loves to type on short messages on the computer. This should be good practice for his literacy skills.
November 2008
Jordan has remained seizure free since September. The
seizure medication seems to be working great however we
continue to follow-up monthly with the neurologist. In
the meantime Jordan continues with all of his
activities, Tae Kwon Do classes, Drum lessons, voice
lessons, children's theater, and new this month guitar
lessons. Jordan is an amazing kid and really excels in
the arts. I am so proud of his determination to learn
new skills despite his physical disabilities. Jordan
takes on new challenges with gusto and generally figures
out ways to modify activities to accommodate his
hemiplegia. Jordan is excited about Christmas and
looking forward to all of the parties and community and
school activities that go along with the season.
September 2008
Jordan gave us quite a scare earlier this month. A few weeks ago Jordan came home from school as usual. When he got in the house one of our helpers, Jenny, noticed that Jordan's eyes had an odd stare to them. Each eye went off in the opposite direction. When Jenny asked Jordan to look at her, he couldn't. Jordan was responding appropriately to Jenny's questions and did not seem distressed. We worried that Jordan might be having a shunt malfunction so Jim decided to take Jordan to the emergency room. The entire car ride to the emergency room Jordan seemed fine. He was carrying on a conversation but still his eyes weren't focused. Upon arrival at the hospital Jordan went into a grand mal seizure. His body went stiff and he was unresponsive. This is the first seizure Jordan has had with us, so were are obviously quite shocked and scared. After several exams and a night at the hospital, it was determined that Jordan's shunt was operating perfectly. The neurologist told us, after looking at Jordan's MRI, that it was surprising that Jordan hadn't had a seizure disorder before. The neurologist has now prescribed Jordan medication to control Jordan's seizures. So far the medication has worked and Jordan has not had another seizure.
July 2008
Jordan has already got one week of sleep-over camp under his belt this summer. Jordan loves summer camp and said the best part of Abilities First Camp was swimming and the sports and recreation program. Jordan says he also enjoyed the nightly campfires. Jordan has been to so many summer camps that he is quite the expert on what to expect and how to behave. Jordan coached his younger brothers about all of the particulars of Camp Paivika. Rishi, especially, had lots of questions for Jordan who was more than happy to answer. During his week at Camp Paivika, Jordan kept an eye on Patrick and Rishi who were attending sleep-over camp for the first time. Jordan really enjoys the role of big brother. Even the counselors commented on how helpful Jordan was with his younger brothers.
Besides summer camp, Jordan is attending summer school and hanging out at the beach in the afternoons. Jordan continues to take drum lessons and several tae kwon do lessons a week. Jordan is also is rehearsing for the MYART summer production of "Oliver!" Jordan loves keeping a busy schedule. Jordan is definitely happiest when he is on the move!!
May 2008
Jordan continues to make excellent progress in school.
Despite his developmental delay Jordan is learning how
to write three paragraph essays and multiply two and
three digit number. Jordan can now write in handwriting
and access the internet on the computer. Jordan is also
reading chapter books and writing detailed book report.
Jordan has been taking violin lessons for the past few
months after school. Jordan is very musical and he is
enjoying himself/ Despite his hemiplegia Jordan has
learned how to play the violin in a modified way. Jordan
also continues to take drum lessons weekly and Tae Kwon
Do classes three times a week. Jordan recently completed
the MYART production of "Annie" and will start
rehearsals for "Oliver!" in mid-June. Jordan is also
looking forward to summer and can't wait to attend
summer camps. Jordan loves to be busy and keeping him
moving is the best way to kept Jordan's behavioral
challenges in check.
February 2008
Jordan says he "loves" his new school. Apparently he discovered students that he already knew from Tae Kwon Do and MYART. Seacliff Elementary School staff have also made him feel very welcome. We appreciate the effort everyone put in to helping both Marc and Jordan adjust to their new school.
Jordan has been rehearsing with the Shane's Club Choir. He is preparing for two upcoming performances. Jordan loves singing and only wishes the choir was year round. Jordan will soon begin rehearsals for the MYART production of "Annie." This is one of Jordan's favorite shows. He is hoping to audition for a small part besides being in the ensemble. We are currently working on updating Jordan's resume and headshots. He is still very interested in acting so we are working to book more jobs through his agent. Jordan has such a big personality we always get very positive comments from production staff on the movies and commercials he participates in. Jordan continues to take drum lessons weekly and now has his own professional drum set so he can practice throughout the week.
November 2007
Jordan's 11th birthday is coming up. He is really looking forward to celebrating. Jordan likes to take donuts in for his classmates and of course our family tradition is to serve donuts with breakfast when someone has a birthday in our family. Then in the evening we will have a family party with all the decorations! This year Jordan will be getting a real drum set for his birthday. He has had drum lessons for a year now and continues to show an interest in learning how to play. We will definitely keep the drum set over at the new house for Jordan to practice on!
September 2007
Jordan is getting so grown-up. Its hard to imagine that he is almost 11-years old. This summer Jordan attended many summer camp programs with typical children. With some support he had a very high success rate. This month he is started fourth grade and we can't believe the level of reading books he is bring home! Jordan is reading chapter books (like he told me "I don't
need pictures anymore!) and working on multiplications facts and equations. While he is still below grade level, we are thrilled about all of his academic progress. Jordan keeps plugging-a-way both academically and socially. While Jordan still struggles with impulse control and a very short attention span, he has already exceeded most professionals expectations in terms of his overall development. Having Jordan receive his education along side his typical peers has made a world of difference in overall development.
July 2007
Jordan has been enjoying all of the summer camps! He spent a week at sleep-over camp with Camp Footprints and Ability First Camp. He also had a week encampment with the Young Marines! Jordan is getting so independent at sleep-over camps. In the past he was much more scared and weepy. Now he says he wants to attend sleep-over camps. Jordan is also attending day camps including Camp James and Special Camp for Special Kids. Jordan loves to keep busy and these various camp programs are keeping him very active with lots of opportunities to hang-out and make friends with typical kids. Jordan continues to keep up with his drum lessons and has recently signed up for a Special Olympic Volleyball team which will begin practicing in August.
April 2007
Camp.
He also had a week encampment with the Young Marines! Jordan is getting so independent at sleep-over camps. In the past he was much more scared and weepy. Now he says he wants to attend sleep-over camps. Jordan is also attending day camps including Camp James and Special Camp for Special Kids. Jordan loves to keep busy and these various camp programs are keeping him very active with lots of opportunities to hang-out and make friends with typical kids. Jordan continues to keep up with his drum lessons and has recently signed up for a Special Olympic Volleyball team which will begin practicing in August.
April 2007
Jordan is now participating in the Saddleback Young Marines recruit training. He has participated in both the day activities and the encampments. For Jordan this program has been not only a test of his physical fitness and strength but also of his ability to concentrate and focus. Jordan is taking it all in stride, including the three-mile hikes and the one-mile runs. This week Jim is helping Jordan study for the written part of the Young Marine test. If Jordan continues to work on his drills and study for his written test, he should be able to graduate in late May.
 
February 2007
Jordan enjoyed his season of floor hockey. This was a tough sport for Jordan to master. It can be hard for Jordan to focus when there is a lot of movement and action surrounding him. At first Jordan was scared that someone would accidentally hit him with their hockey stick. After a few practices and games Jordan not only learned how to use his own hockey stick, he also learned how to get out of the way of everyone else's hockey sticks! At the end of the season Jordan proudly received the "Most Improved Award." Jordan is excited to start practice with his basketball team the first weekend of March!
January 2007
Jordan is really doing well learning to play the drums. He is naturally very musical and he has taken to playing the drums like a fish to water. Jordan says when he is a teenager he wants to play in a band like our family helper, Patrick.
Thanks to a generous donation from MO Industries, Jordan will be able to continue his twice weekly drum lessons for the next three months.
We are excited to watch Jordan progress and look forward to the day that he plays drums in a band.
December 2006
Jordan received his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do! We were so excited to see how much progress Jordan has made in coordination and concentration. Jordan also started drum lessons twice a week. He is learning not only to play the drums but to read music. Jordan loves the lessons and even received a small drum set for his birthday. We believe that, like Tae Kwon Do, Jordan will master the drums with time and practice. Jordan says he wants to play drums on the next family CD.
October 2006
Jordan is getting ready to test for his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do later this month. He has worked hard for the past three years and is really looking forward to the opportunity to prove that he is ready to be a Black Belt. During the rest of the month, besides attending his regular Tae Kwon Do classes, Jordan also has to write a research paper on the history of Tae Kwon Do, meditate for several hours, fast for 24 hours, among other tasks. We are excited that Jordan has arrived at this amazing milestone at nine-years-old.
This month Jordan is also auditioning for a leading role in the current MYART production of "Peter Pan." He continues to be on a local roller skating team and takes skateboard riding lessons twice a week. Even with all of these activities, Jordan finds time to go to the Homework Club at least once a month! He certainly is one busy guy!
July 2006
Jordan is having an action-packed summer. He is
spending a lot of time at Camp James. This is the first
year that Jordan has not required a one-to-one staff
person for support. Jordan is participating in a camp
group with typical kids, ages 9-11. The ratio is about two
counselors to ten kids! Its wonderful to see that Jordan
has developed the social skills and behavioral skills to
participate in this very active program without additional
support. Jordan has also had the opportunity to
participate in several residential camp programs. This
summer Jordan has had no problems making friends and
adjusting to sleeping away from home. Jordan has also
begun preparing for his Black Belt test in Tae Kwon Do
that is scheduled for October. We are excited to see
Jordan progress in his physical skills and to be at a
point where he will actually have the opportunity to
advance to a Black Belt status. Obviously with Jordan's
attitude and energy, he has proven that "the sky is the
limit!"
 
 
March 2006
Jordan (9) has been keeping busy with his various after-school activities. Skateboard lessons seem to be his favorite at the moment. Jordan is really aware of our his skills are improving. Jordan will spend hours practicing "ollies" in front of the house. Jordan also went skiing last month. As usual, he loved it! Jordan takes private lessons with a coach who has experience with children who have physical disabilities. As a result Jordan, for the past three years, Jordan has received excellent training and is now ready for regular ski lessons. Jordan has almost no fear and is ready to try jumps and other tricks on skis. Besides his long list of activities, Jordan also added gymnastics lessons to his routine.
 This month he will start two-hour weekly classes. Even Jordan's physical and occupational therapists were very amazed at his athletic skills. His strength and balance are not consistent with a typical child who has hemiplegia. Luckily, Jordan doesn't see his disability as a barrier, as a matter of fact, I don't think he sees his disability at all.
We just recently has Jordan's IEP at school. He continues to make excellent academic and social progress. The IEP team agrees that next year may be a challenge for Jordan as the class size increases from 19 students to over 30 students. Since Jordan is highly distractible we will need to work hard to make sure he has the right supports in place to continue with his school success.
 
 
   
Today Jordan is an example of a person meeting his potential. Despite his physical disabilities, Jordan is extremely active. He is a Junior Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jordan is able to ride a two-wheel bicycle, roller skate and roller blade, ride a skate board and swim. Jordan is also taking snow skiing lessons this winter. Despite his developmental delays, Jordan is in regular education. He is reading, spelling and doing math. Jordan can even use the Internet and enjoys receiving and sending e-mails. Jordan is a very social little boy and has many friends at school and in the community. Jordan is also an actor in film, television and on stage. Jordan is a member of the Screen Actor's Guild. Jordan's latest interest is cooking. Grandma Sue has taught Jordan how to cook scrambled eggs from start to finish and soon Jordan wants to learn how to cook French toast! Not bad for a guy the neurologists predicted wouldn't walk, talk, or feed himself!
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Jordan in "The King and I"
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