When we adopted Becky we knew she had medical issues and that she was developmentally delayed (but if you asked Becky, she would tell you she was “not developmental”). We didn’t limit what she did, or tried to do – we didn’t tell her “no you can’t do that” we encouraged her to try anything she wanted (including the zip line in High School – which scared me just watching). When she was about three, we asked some of her doctors for ideas to help teach her to tie her shoes. We were told “don’t bother trying to teach her anything like that, she will never be able to tie her shoes”. Someone forgot to tell Becky, because when Becky was ready, and she decided she wanted to tie her own shoes, she would sit for hours and hours, no one could help her, she would do nothing but practice tying her shoes until she got it right. That is pretty much the way she did everything. Most people, especially the Doctors and professionals, under estimated Becky, she would not let her issues limit her; she just became more determined and did what she had to do to accomplish her goal. Even though her medical issues were a big part of her life she did not let them rule her life.
All through school (grade school, Jr High and High School) she participated in talent shows, plays, and sang in the Chorus and the Select Choir. Her music theory teacher in HS even told us she had perfect pitch.
She was in the top 20% of her graduating class at Mainland HS – class of 2004, and went on to take several classes at ACCC and still holds a 4.0 GPA.
In the last year and a half of her life; with the help of Easter Seals and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Becky was able to have a self-directed program. We hired Laura, and she soon became a companion, who would take Becky around and do many activities like, shopping, movies, doctor’s and the gym. She loved her new found independence and gained self-confidence, in being able to control her own life and activities through her self-directed day program with Laura’s dedicated help and guidance.
Laura and Becky developed a special friendship, like sisters and best friends all wrapped up in one. Laura was there for Becky right up to the end, Becky thought of Laura as family and so do we.
Joann and Jack (Becky's Parents)
All through school (grade school, Jr High and High School) she participated in talent shows, plays, and sang in the Chorus and the Select Choir. Her music theory teacher in HS even told us she had perfect pitch.
She was in the top 20% of her graduating class at Mainland HS – class of 2004, and went on to take several classes at ACCC and still holds a 4.0 GPA.
In the last year and a half of her life; with the help of Easter Seals and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Becky was able to have a self-directed program. We hired Laura, and she soon became a companion, who would take Becky around and do many activities like, shopping, movies, doctor’s and the gym. She loved her new found independence and gained self-confidence, in being able to control her own life and activities through her self-directed day program with Laura’s dedicated help and guidance.
Laura and Becky developed a special friendship, like sisters and best friends all wrapped up in one. Laura was there for Becky right up to the end, Becky thought of Laura as family and so do we.
Joann and Jack (Becky's Parents)