Kyleigh's speech

She gave this at the opening ceremony of the Georgia Winter Institute.

"My name is Kyleigh. I am nine years old. I am in third grade. This is my talker. It helps me speak. I like when my friends play with me. I feel happy. We play tic tac toe and cards at school. We listen to my MP3 player at home. I like Girl Scouts. The girls say hi to me and talk to me. They know I am observant. I work hard at math. My teachers don't know how hard it is. That makes me mad. Sometimes people ask me why I am disabled. I don't know what to say. I wish they would laugh and joke with me. I would like you if you would like me. Thank you for listening to me."

Communication Difficulties

In the book that we've been reading, the girl in the book has difficulties getting her point across because she cannot speak. I asked Kyleigh if she ever felt that way and this is what she said.

"I wanted to play 'I Spy' but Ali thought I wanted to eat. I felt mad."

Another part of the book discussed making new friends. I asked Kyleigh if she has any friends that are real friends and this is what she said.

"Brooklyn is my best friend. She jokes. She is nice to me."

Out of My Mind

So Kyleigh and I started reading this book about a week ago, at the recommendation of one of her best friends, Victoria. It is called "Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper who is a Coretta Scott King Award winning author. Just to give you some background on the book, here is a bit of the blurb on the back, "...She's the smartest kid in her whole school--but NO ONE knows it. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows...but she can't because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write."

Anyhow, at the end of the chapter we read today, Melody was watching the Wizard of Oz and wishing along with the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy. This was Kyleigh's wish:

"I hope I can sing like Selena Gomez."

Then, I asked her what she thinks about the book so far. She says, "It is a good book because she is disabled, like me."

Sorry it's been so long since we've blogged, but Kyleigh had major surgery and hasn't been in the mood to say anything other than, "I don't like this." and "This is not fun."

Christine K.

catching up on blogs

6-22-2011
In response to her teacher's email:

"Did you put up your curtains? I will get some to. Yes I love God to. I went to Bible school. Have a easy birthday."

(Explanation: Kyleigh was getting blinds in her basement at the same time as her teacher was getting curtains and she thought that was neat. Her teacher was telling about her children going to vacation Bible school and Kyleigh thought it was neat that she had been also. Her teacher's birthday was coming up and so Kyleigh was sending her birthday wishes.)

6-23-2011 (about communication device camp)

I went to Mississippi. Ali and I played at the pool . I was scared because the water was deep but its enjoyable.

6-24-2011 (written about Ali coming home from camp)

I miss her. I play with her. She must sing because I am proud of her. Ali is silly.

7-2-2011 (when asked whether she thinks zoos are good or bad for animals)

Zoo animals are happy because kids see them. Animals are hungry and people feed them. Animals play at the zoo.

Update on birdfeeder

I see a squirrel. It is eating bird foods on the ground. It comes from the woods. Last it goes to the tree.

Father's Day

Ky writes on her Eco2 PRC device to her dad for his father's day card: I love you. Happy Father's Day. You are awesome and the best.

Ali illustrated the card for her with a picture of the two of them. It was a perfect way to tell their father how much they appreciate him.

Birthday thoughts

So, we are always out of town on Kyleigh's birthday because we go to communication device camp during the week of her birthday. I try to make sure she has fun on her birthday so we celebrated some prematurely and we'll celebrate some at camp. Here's what she had to say today: "My birthday is June 8th. I want a birthday card from Ali. I don't want a mouse to eat the bird food. I want to go swimming on my birthday."

In case you're wondering, she got a bird feeder for her birthday. Evidently she's worried about a mouse eating the food. I think I mentioned a mouse eating the left over food (in front of her) if we don't put it a container. This is probably what precipitated this comment. Anyhow, that's what is on her mind.