What a year 2011 has been for Snowdrop and how far we have come! At the end of the year we have triple the number of children on programme than we did in January. 95% of those children are making good progress; - a few are making staggering progress.
A couple of weeks ago a mum showed me some video footage of her son, who when born four years ago, suffered massive brain injuries. His prognosis was to be totally dependent in every way for every aspect of his care. In the video, he was sprinting in the park, alongside his uninjured twin brother and his dad. He was in nursery the other day and teacher was looking for her book to read to the children; - whilst she was searching, he decided he would take another book and read a story to his 4 year old peers to keep them happy. He was the only child in nursery who could read at 4 years of age because it had been part of his programme to learn to read. - At birth his mum and dad had been told he would be blind!
Then there is the little boy, again 4 years old who suffered badly with ADHD. Mum and Dad couldn't take him anywhere, not even out to the park because he would run off. He had no language and every time he heard music he would cover his ears and scream, his auditory processing problems were so severe, - he was extremely hypersensitive. Two years later and he no longer covers his ears, he no longer runs off, - it is possible to have a conversation with him and these good folks can go out together as a family.
A final example is someone on this group, - little Leonie Hall, who as everyone knows suffered catastrophic brain injuries, but through the hard work of Pierre and Liz now has a life to look forward to and has exciting possibilities for her future development. In some areas of development her developmental ability now outstrips her chronological age.
These are just three examples of real children making incredible progress, there are plenty more I could tell you of. However, in summary, this year has brought many successes, - children who can now see, who could not see before; - children who can hear and understand language who prior to the programme could not; - children who can feel, move, interact, play, use their hands, laugh, cry and do a million little things who before could not! Being a part of this and working with such dedicated, determined people as you, - their parents, makes life richer and more worthwhile and I thank you all for the opportunity from the bottom of my heart, - it is a privelige to work alongside you all.
A couple of weeks ago, Snowdrop also took its first steps to acheiving charitable status when we had a first meeting of our prospective board of trustees. Charitable status will enable us to raise funds and to reach out to so many more children and families.
If 2012 is as successful as 2011 then it will be a great year. Bring it on!!
Thanks.
Andrew
A couple of weeks ago a mum showed me some video footage of her son, who when born four years ago, suffered massive brain injuries. His prognosis was to be totally dependent in every way for every aspect of his care. In the video, he was sprinting in the park, alongside his uninjured twin brother and his dad. He was in nursery the other day and teacher was looking for her book to read to the children; - whilst she was searching, he decided he would take another book and read a story to his 4 year old peers to keep them happy. He was the only child in nursery who could read at 4 years of age because it had been part of his programme to learn to read. - At birth his mum and dad had been told he would be blind!
Then there is the little boy, again 4 years old who suffered badly with ADHD. Mum and Dad couldn't take him anywhere, not even out to the park because he would run off. He had no language and every time he heard music he would cover his ears and scream, his auditory processing problems were so severe, - he was extremely hypersensitive. Two years later and he no longer covers his ears, he no longer runs off, - it is possible to have a conversation with him and these good folks can go out together as a family.
A final example is someone on this group, - little Leonie Hall, who as everyone knows suffered catastrophic brain injuries, but through the hard work of Pierre and Liz now has a life to look forward to and has exciting possibilities for her future development. In some areas of development her developmental ability now outstrips her chronological age.
These are just three examples of real children making incredible progress, there are plenty more I could tell you of. However, in summary, this year has brought many successes, - children who can now see, who could not see before; - children who can hear and understand language who prior to the programme could not; - children who can feel, move, interact, play, use their hands, laugh, cry and do a million little things who before could not! Being a part of this and working with such dedicated, determined people as you, - their parents, makes life richer and more worthwhile and I thank you all for the opportunity from the bottom of my heart, - it is a privelige to work alongside you all.
A couple of weeks ago, Snowdrop also took its first steps to acheiving charitable status when we had a first meeting of our prospective board of trustees. Charitable status will enable us to raise funds and to reach out to so many more children and families.
If 2012 is as successful as 2011 then it will be a great year. Bring it on!!
Thanks.
Andrew
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