Eli's Journey

It's that time of year again, and all our friends and family made this the most special Mini-Laps event so far. We met and exceeded our fund-raising goal, and the Little Light House raised the largest amount in school history for this event. Every year, the students of TLLH dress up in costumes and walk around a small track behind the school, as hundreds cheer them on and hear their stories. This year's theme was "The Big Apple," and we dressed Elijah up as The Phantom Of The Opera, one of the classic Broadway icons. We turned his walker into a pipe organ, and he really hammed it up.  Watch as he takes his lap for the first time on his own two legs! This accomplishment is the culmination of years of work on the part of Eli's parents (that's me), his teachers and therapists both at school and at home, and most of all Elijah himself. His first year, you may recall, he was pulled around the track in a toy car made up to look like Lightning McQueen, and at the e

Are you prepared to behold Sophia singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Mini-Laps 2011? NO YOU ARE NOT. It's simply too awesome. This 9-year-old diva-in-the-making worked for weeks and weeks on her phrasing, her breathing, her notes and her diction, and even I was speechless at the utter magnificence of the final result. If you missed it (like I did - I was in Boston!), be sure to come to Laps for Little Ones on Oct. 15 at Cascia Hall, another great opportunity to donate to Elijah's favorite school, The Little Light House. GO SOPHIA!!!!!

ROUTE 66 PARK: Here are some pics of the kids at the new Route 66 park in west Tulsa. They have the biggest oil derrick (non-working) in North America, and a decommissioned train with the biggest wheels I've ever seen! The main engine barreled down the tracks toward Super-Sophia, but she was just too fast for it. Look at her go! OUR FRIENDS AT FIRE STATION 32: The gentleman who acted as our Make A Wish volunteer, Wade, is also the fire chief at Station 32 on 91st St. (near Hunter Park). He invited Elijah and Sophia to tour the facility, and they had a great time! Thanks to everyone for making our morning so special, and for your service to the City of Tulsa. ELIJAH AT THERAPY WORKS: Eli absolutely loves to spend time at Therapy Works, on 91st Street near Memorial. We see Suzette on Wednesdays at 5:15 for occupational therapy, and on Friday we see Kara for speech pathology and Kathy for feeding therapy. All three of them are highly knowledgeable, exceptional with their appli