March 2016
Nicholas has come s
uch a long way since we first joined the Shannon Daley family. We have so much gratitude for the Shannon Daley family and for all of the generous donors who made it possible for Nicholas to obtain the additional speech/language therapy, physical therapy and feeding services that he required. He is autistic, and has had many challenges with basic life functions and adapting socially.
Since 2011, Nicholas eats much better now and is not hesitant to try new foods. Nicholas is working on speaking in full sentences and making his articulation more clear. This continues to be a challenge for Nicholas, but the improvements that he has made have dramatically improved his relationship with his peers. Nicholas’s physical restrictions have decreased, and he actually has been able to participate sports such as soccer, basketball, and throwing the football with his big brother.
Nicholas is a very well-adjusted 8 year old who still struggles to clearly communicate with his friends and classmates, but thanks to all of the help he has received he is more willing to try to speak with his friends and is strengthening his skills to communicate and socialize. He still enjoys playing by himself sometimes with his iPad or video games, but he does interact a lot more with his brother John Michael and his friends than he used to. Nicholas will begin more in-home speech therapy in the Spring of this year, and he will be trying piano lessons and karate. Nicholas has a very big interest in music! He just completed running a Fun Run as part of a fundraiser at his school, and completed all 35 laps!
We feel so blessed to have had the support of the Shannon Daley family when Nicholas was at such a crucial age in his development, and it allowed us to get the extra services for him early on. We are so thankful to God to have Nicholas in our lives – he has taught us so much about living and provides us with so much love! He is a very cheerful little boy, and enjoys giving hugs now and receiving them. We are amazed by him every day, and the obstacles that he has overcome and strives to overcome. We do not yet know if he will be able to ever live by himself independently, but we are so fortunate to have had the support from the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund to provide him with the best therapies to allow him to reach his full potential to date! We have been truly blessed to be part of such a giving and supportive community!!!
February 2014
Nicholas has come such a long way since we first joined the Shannon Daley family. We have so much gratitude for the Shannon Daley family and for all of the generous donors who made it possible for Nicholas to obtain the additional speech/language therapy, physical therapy and feeding services that he required. He is autistic, and has had many challenges with basic life functions and adapting socially.
Since 2011, Nicholas eats much better now and is not hesitant to try new foods. Nicholas is working on speaking in full sentences and making his articulation clearer. This his dramatically improved his relationship with his peers. Nicholas’s physical restrictions have decreased, and he actually has been able to participate in sports such as soccer since 2012.
Nicholas is a very well-adjusted 6 year old who still struggles to clearly communicate with his friends and classmates, but thanks to all of the help he has received he is more willing to try to speak with his friends and is strengthening his skills to communicate and socialize. He still enjoys playing by himself sometimes with his trains or his iPad, but he does interract a lot more with his brother John Michael and his friends than he used to.
We feel so blessed to have had the support of the Shannon Daley family when Nicholas was at such a crucial age in his development, and it allowed us to get the extra services for him early on. We are so thankful to God to have Nicholas in our lives – he has taught us so much about living and provides us with so much love! He is a very cheerful little boy, and enjoys giving hugs now and receiving them. We are amazed by him every day, and the obstacles that he has overcome and strives to overcome. We do not yet know if he will be able to ever live by himself independently, but we are so fortunate to have had the support from the Shannon Daley Memorial Fund to provide him with the best therapies to allow him to reach his full potential! We have been truly blessed to be part of such a giving and supportive community!