"The Ultimate Raffle For Jakey"
Started by
Machster
, Oct 30 2003 07:25 AM
107 replies to this topic
Posted 25 May 2004 - 05:26 AM
Hello everyone.
It has been awhile since I have been on. I wanted to give everyone a Jakey update.
Last week, Jakey had his 2nd medical evaluation do finally determine how he would be "classified". Knowing this could sound bad, Lisa and I prepared for the worst. Jakey was officially moved from PDD to full blown Autistic w/ some mental retardation components. As you can all imagine, this took our breaths away...then I thought to myself...Jakey is not mentally retarded in the sense we all stereotype...he just could not communicate the answers that the testers needed to document his progress. In fact, after analyzing it further, we found that in some instances, he just didn't want to answer the question because they were too simple for him!. Lisa remembers looking at him when they asked him to stack three different colored blocks. He gave her a "are you kidding me?" look, and proceeded to stack a tower 5 feet tall! I think it was his way of saying "This is what you REALLY want isn't it" We have seen so many changes for the positive in Jake, in a huge part from your generous donations. I am so thankful to have friends like you all. The love and outreach that you all gave will always be in our hearts. I am also glad I was able to put a face to this epidemic also. I have learned that when I look at anyone that is disabled, that they are a caring human being just like all of us. I dropped all of the comfort walls I had in the past. If you want to make a disabled persons day, give them a smile and a nod. I will get off my soap box now, but I want to leave with this one last thought: A little 3 year old boy in town was waiting for a heart transplant. It got down literally to the last hour when remarkably, a donor heart became avaliable. I sat here at my desk in tears,thinking of the ultimate sacrifice the parents of the donor had given, and it crossed my mind that this is exactly what the Berg family has gone through. I am thankfully the recipient of a very special gift from Garrett..his spirit...something we have all recieved, and embellished. Thank you Garrett!
God Bless!
The McBride 5
It has been awhile since I have been on. I wanted to give everyone a Jakey update.
Last week, Jakey had his 2nd medical evaluation do finally determine how he would be "classified". Knowing this could sound bad, Lisa and I prepared for the worst. Jakey was officially moved from PDD to full blown Autistic w/ some mental retardation components. As you can all imagine, this took our breaths away...then I thought to myself...Jakey is not mentally retarded in the sense we all stereotype...he just could not communicate the answers that the testers needed to document his progress. In fact, after analyzing it further, we found that in some instances, he just didn't want to answer the question because they were too simple for him!. Lisa remembers looking at him when they asked him to stack three different colored blocks. He gave her a "are you kidding me?" look, and proceeded to stack a tower 5 feet tall! I think it was his way of saying "This is what you REALLY want isn't it" We have seen so many changes for the positive in Jake, in a huge part from your generous donations. I am so thankful to have friends like you all. The love and outreach that you all gave will always be in our hearts. I am also glad I was able to put a face to this epidemic also. I have learned that when I look at anyone that is disabled, that they are a caring human being just like all of us. I dropped all of the comfort walls I had in the past. If you want to make a disabled persons day, give them a smile and a nod. I will get off my soap box now, but I want to leave with this one last thought: A little 3 year old boy in town was waiting for a heart transplant. It got down literally to the last hour when remarkably, a donor heart became avaliable. I sat here at my desk in tears,thinking of the ultimate sacrifice the parents of the donor had given, and it crossed my mind that this is exactly what the Berg family has gone through. I am thankfully the recipient of a very special gift from Garrett..his spirit...something we have all recieved, and embellished. Thank you Garrett!
God Bless!
The McBride 5
Posted 31 May 2004 - 05:14 PM
I have a son that is high functioning autistic. I know where you are now and the road ahead of you. At 2 years old, my son was diagnosed at UCLA. Our family doctor said that he did not expect my son to walk or talk. At 9 years old, he is mainstreaming in 4th grade. His teacher is a retired Marine and doesnt give much slack to him. He is doing "C+" average work with the rest of his class. He is very vocal, runs, plays, and loves to read. He is active in church, and loves to ride his small ATV and play in his "fort" with his brothers.
I have said prayers for you since I saw this thread, and hope that you and your wife understand that this is a small bump in the road of life.
I sent you an e-mail earlier offering you an opportunity to come down and ride at a theraputic riding center that my wife runs. The offer is still open, and if there is any information or questions that I can help out with, please e-mail me at Blanketr@sce.com.
I have said prayers for you since I saw this thread, and hope that you and your wife understand that this is a small bump in the road of life.
I sent you an e-mail earlier offering you an opportunity to come down and ride at a theraputic riding center that my wife runs. The offer is still open, and if there is any information or questions that I can help out with, please e-mail me at Blanketr@sce.com.
Posted 07 May 2012 - 07:47 PM
Hey Friends and supporters of my son Jake.
It has been a little over 8 years since the Ultimate Raffle for Jakey. A lot has happened in those 8 years, and I thought I would give an update. Since his diagnosis, we have had a roller coaster ride with Jake (which is what he wants to be called now
) it was a horrible uphill battle with treatments, schools, medications etc. The money raised from this raffle did many wonderful things for Jake. It helped pay for an advocate to battle our school district, therapies that helped him learn to talk, different communication devices and also got my wife to start a foundation to help other children. I have been off the boards for quite a while, but I have never forgotten all of your support, and never will. Jake is now 12, mainstreamed into regular school (7th grade) and is talking, eating and playing baseball and soccer. without your support, this would not have happened, or at least it would not have been financially feasible.
we thank you all again!
The McBride 5
It has been a little over 8 years since the Ultimate Raffle for Jakey. A lot has happened in those 8 years, and I thought I would give an update. Since his diagnosis, we have had a roller coaster ride with Jake (which is what he wants to be called now
) it was a horrible uphill battle with treatments, schools, medications etc. The money raised from this raffle did many wonderful things for Jake. It helped pay for an advocate to battle our school district, therapies that helped him learn to talk, different communication devices and also got my wife to start a foundation to help other children. I have been off the boards for quite a while, but I have never forgotten all of your support, and never will. Jake is now 12, mainstreamed into regular school (7th grade) and is talking, eating and playing baseball and soccer. without your support, this would not have happened, or at least it would not have been financially feasible.we thank you all again!
The McBride 5
Posted 13 August 2012 - 07:45 AM
Machster, on 07 May 2012 - 07:47 PM, said:
Hey Friends and supporters of my son Jake.
It has been a little over 8 years since the Ultimate Raffle for Jakey. A lot has happened in those 8 years, and I thought I would give an update. Since his diagnosis, we have had a roller coaster ride with Jake (which is what he wants to be called now ) it was a horrible uphill battle with treatments, schools, medications etc. The money raised from this raffle did many wonderful things for Jake. It helped pay for an advocate to battle our school district, therapies that helped him learn to talk, different communication devices and also got my wife to start a foundation to help other children. I have been off the boards for quite a while, but I have never forgotten all of your support, and never will. Jake is now 12, mainstreamed into regular school (7th grade) and is talking, eating and playing baseball and soccer. without your support, this would not have happened, or at least it would not have been financially feasible.
we thank you all again!
The McBride 5
It has been a little over 8 years since the Ultimate Raffle for Jakey. A lot has happened in those 8 years, and I thought I would give an update. Since his diagnosis, we have had a roller coaster ride with Jake (which is what he wants to be called now
) it was a horrible uphill battle with treatments, schools, medications etc. The money raised from this raffle did many wonderful things for Jake. It helped pay for an advocate to battle our school district, therapies that helped him learn to talk, different communication devices and also got my wife to start a foundation to help other children. I have been off the boards for quite a while, but I have never forgotten all of your support, and never will. Jake is now 12, mainstreamed into regular school (7th grade) and is talking, eating and playing baseball and soccer. without your support, this would not have happened, or at least it would not have been financially feasible.we thank you all again!
The McBride 5
Hello Mr. McBride,
THANKS for the update! You made my day. I remember this as if it were yesterday. The folks who ride off road, TT'ers and others are simply awesome. I am super happy to hear that Jakey is doing well and your family is doing fine.
All the Best,
Mike Berg
"Motodad393"
