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Contents:
One Hand, One Violin and a
Big Dream Adrian Anantawan shakes with his left hand. He has no right hand. If he used the myoelectric prosthesis he wears on his right arm, he might, like the Bionic Man, end up crushing your hand. At 17, he's 5 foot 11 and looks like a Gap model. At a glance, he looks like Tiger Woods. Ethnically, he's half Thai and half Chinese and all-Canadian. Doctors theorize that Adrian's umbilical cord was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was born without a right hand. As a toddler, Adrian also had a learning disability and did not speak until 4. Adrian was 9 and nearly failing fourth grade when his parents decided to introduce him to music. Mrs. Anantawan contacted a violin teacher, Peggy McGuire, and mentioned that her son had a problem with his right hand. At the first lesson, McGuire was unfazed. She had Adrian play pizzicato, plucking the strings with this left hand. In the meantime, Mrs. Anantawan phoned the War Amps, a nonprofit organization founded by veterans of the first World War and the only one of its kind in the world. They created a cuff to which Adrian could fasten his bow. The violin fed his soul. Overnight, his self-esteem shot up and his grades improved. Several years ago McGuire decided that she had taught Adrian everything she could. He didn't want to leave her but she weaned him to Mark Childs, a colleague and Curtis alumnus who would take Adrian to the next level. Others also helped. Adrian's violin is worth $30,000 and is a loan from Angela Fusco, daughter of the late Toronto symphony Orchestra violinist Frank Fusco. The War Amps secured a $15,000 arm which works on muscle impulses. When Adrian puts down a Coke, there's a moment before the "fingers" open to release it. Beneath the prosthesis, he has no wrist. His forearm is only five inches long, ending in what looks like a baby's foot - a nob of pink flesh tipped by micro-fingers, as tiny and round as inanimate pearls. And it is with these pearls that he performs so beautifully. Today he is the concertmaster for the orchestra at the Etobicoke School for the Arts, a premier school in Toronto for artistic teens. At lunch, he arrives with his 17th century Dutch violin tucked under his right arm. During lunch he says "I don't believe in disabilities; I see barriers. Barriers can always be overcome. The only disability is not having the will to overcome life's challenges." (Edited and reproduced with permission from the Toronto Globe And Mail)
The Magic Violin Recently our staff had the opportunity to meet author, Mary McSpadden, while in Atlanta for a book signing. Our families have enjoyed The Magic Violin which comes with a miniature toy violin, programmed with several melodies. The story is based on a true story and the author encloses the following "story behind the story" with the book. For as long as I can remember, my niece Emily has wanted a violin. Whatever special occasion was approaching, Emily always asked for a "fiddle" - Emily's East Tennessee way of saying "violin." But because Emily has Down syndrome, I, along with other family members, always felt that a violin would be too difficult for her to play. Looking back, I'm not sure why we never took Emily's request for a "fiddle" to heart. My typical response was to smile and say, "Well, that's nice. If I can't find a fiddle, what would you like?" Many Christmases and birthdays came and went, and never did Emily receive a violin. Fast forward to Christmas 1999 - During one of my many Christmas shopping trips, I wandered into a store and my eyes were immediately drawn to a table where a miniature violin was displayed. As I took a closer look, I discovered that the little violin "played" all kinds of tunes by just moving the bow across the strings. I was thrilled! I had found the perfect violin for Emily. My excitement, however, was nothing compared to Emily's when she opened the Christmas gift. The minute she saw the violin, she gasped. Then standing like a virtuoso on stage at Carnegie Hall, she placed the violin under her chin and began to move the bow across the strings singing her favorite Garth Brooks song. (It didn't matter that the song coming from the violin was Bach's Minuet in G.) I will never forget that beautiful picture of Emily and her violin - nor will I forget the tears shed by every member of my family. Tears of joy because Emily was so happy - but I think they were also tears of shame because we had imposed our limitations on Emily and had always believed that a violin would be too frustrating for her. What a wonderful Christmas I experienced that year. Little did Emily know that she had given me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. Her gift was a valuable lesson. She taught me that, no matter what our challenges in life, we should always dare to dream, have the courage to hope and have the faith to believe that miracles can indeed happen. Family of the Month: Meet the Vicens For the past few years, Lekotek leader, Peggy McWilliams has conducted play sessions with parents at Northside and Scottish Rite Hospital's neonatal units. A few months ago I accompanied Peggy to participate in one of her sessions. One of the toys selected was a battery operated mobile that could be activated by the press of a switch or "button". Mom, Adaliz, adeptly attached the mobile to the crib. Peggy placed ten month old Alexa on her side so that she could activate the mobile while looking up to see it. She consistently pressed the "button" placed near her small hand, enjoying the music and movement of the mobile. I'm not sure who was more excited - mom, Peggy, the baby, myself or the nurses who have come to love Alexa. Recently when asked to describe one of my most memorable Lekotek experiences I told this story. We asked the Vicen family to share their story with you. "I had been in Atlanta for only eight days having been transferred from Miami with Cingular Wireless. I remember walking into the emergency room at 24 weeks gestation and thinking 'this is it.' Fifteen hours later Alexa Gabriella was born weighing 1 pound 7 ounces. Her name had been chosen for four years. It means 'to be strong.' And it is quite appropriate because Alexa is a fighter. Alexa spent ten months in the neonatal intensive care unit at Northside Hospital. She left the hospital on only one occasion for a tracheotomy at Children's Healthcare. With no hope on the horizon, in walks Peggy McWilliams from Lekotek. With specialized toys, Alexa is learning to reach, manipulate and track objects. Lekotek is now making home visits and recently Peggy brought a computer totally outfitted with appropriate software and input devices. What we like most about Lekotek is that it includes the whole family. Siblings learn that a child with special needs has abilities and can play just like they do. Our four year old son is a wonderful teacher and looks forward to helping Alexa with the toys 'Miss Peggy' brings. With the help of so many - Lekotek's early intervention, loving nurses and supportive hospital doctors and staff, Alexa continues to improve remarkably. We wish to thank everyone for making her progress possible." Lekotek Welcomes New Staff and Board Members Lekotek is delighted to welcome Peter Fanning, Scott Thompson, Carol Salmons and Tammy Riley to the board of directors. Peter Fanning is the executive director of the Marcus Institute and came to Atlanta from Kennedy Krieger in Baltimore, Maryland. Scott Thompson is general counsel for Piedmont Construction. He and his wife Tricia have three children and his son Dorsey benefits from Lekotek services. Carol Salmons is the manager of five rehabilitation centers for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Currently, two Lekotek satellites are housed with Children's. Tammy is the president of Franklin Cox Associates, a recruiting firm. Tammy is a member of the Atlanta business community and has a depth of knowledge in board development. Board members are not compensated for their expertise or for the hours of time they generously donate to insure Lekotek's success. Our staff and families acknowledge the hard work of past and current board members and welcome Peter, Scott, Carol and Tammy. Lekotek also welcomes Elizabeth Hewell to the staff. Originally from Atlanta, Elizabeth and her husband, Mark, have two children, Katharine, 4, and Stephen, 5. Favorite Lekotek events for Katharine who has special needs and big brother, Stephen, are play sessions, camp and sibling activities. While only on staff a few months, Elizabeth's contributions have been great. Having left the hospital with Katharine as a baby, Elizabeth and Mark had few resources and limited knowledge of appropriate services. She has worked with Promina and Children's Healthcare to distribute discharge packets with appropriate information on agencies to help children with disabilities. Elizabeth also conducted a successful fund raising event with Zany Brainy which raised over $2,100. She is currently creating a three minute presentation that will be available on CD and videotape entitled, What is Lekotek and Why Kids Love It. Elizabeth's passion and vision will strengthen the quality of services and help us reach additional children throughout the state.
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