Hey! I'm the new kid!

Hello! Every year I like to introduce myself to my new classmates, and this year I am introducing to a whole new set of people. I have been at Ezra Baker for the past six years, so I'm really excited to be hanging out with high school kids this year!

I heard that high school kids like top 10 lists, so here's the top 10 things you should know about me.

1. My name Kai means ocean. This is kinda cool because my Dad was in the Coast Guard and we've lived around water my whole life. Also, I'm a Scorpio and it's a water sign.

2. I moved here from California six years ago when I was in 1st grade. I've been at EHB in the SEALS class since then. I was born in Fort Bragg which is on the north coast of CA. It is really beautiful there.

3. I have a younger brother, Liam who is 10 and a younger sister, Addy who is 8. They are pretty cool, but honestly they can be really loud and obnoxious sometimes. My sister Addy helps me pick out my clothes and she is good at reading to me. Liam likes to have staring contests with me.

4. My mom is Stephanie and my dad is Rob. My mom teaches for Calmer Choice and also works for a marketing company doing Facebook and SEO stuff. My dad retired from the Coast Guard 3 years ago and now works for SAFE Boats. He travels all over selling tactical vessels. He is gone a lot, but sometimes brings us cool things from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. We have a dog named Ed.

5. I LOVE music. If I hear a song I recognize you will definitely know it! I like lots of songs on the radio with a fast, fun beat, but MY song is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Iz. My music teacher is named Ms. Sarah Jane.

6. I love to do activities that go fast- like skiing and biking. I have a zip line at home that I go on in a swing- it's so fun! I have done some triathlons with my Mom and Dad too! I also like to go horseback riding- I don't go so fast, but I love the horses.

7. I have lots of equipment! I use a wheelchair, a stander, a gait trainer and a special bike. All of this helps be be able to move around the world. I also have a special way to eat- through a tube in my belly called a g-tube. I can also eat with my mouth too.

8. I communicate differently than most people. You will always know if I am happy or sad or uncomfortable. I also make choices by making sounds with my voice.

9. I am VERY patient. I have to wait a lot, and I'm used to it. But often I am waiting to be included- I listen to what is happening all around me, and then I wait. I love being part of the action, listening to stories, and being talked to.

10. Diagnoses. You are probably are wondering why I don't walk and talk. That's because I have cerebral palsy.  Don't worry I'm not contagious. I also do not see very well, but I have great hearing. Oh, and one last thing, I'm kind of a super hero. You can read about it here. 

One thing I'm really looking forward to this year (besides making new friends) is having someone figure out how to understand what I am trying to communicate. We've been working on this for quite a long time and am hoping someone can help me, my teachers and parents find a way. So, whatya got? Bring it on high school!

Summer Highlights 2018

As many of you know, I had surgery a couple of weeks ago. Just wanted everyone to know that I am ok and healing well. I have to wear this weird stretchy band around my stomach for awhile, but other then that I am back to normal and TONUS is slowly waning. I have to go back to the hospital every couple of weeks so they can adjust the dose of super hero serum on my pump to find the "sweet spot." So onto more exciting stuff...

We had quite a busy summer, as usual. I like to put out some highlights to share with my class every year, and this year is REALLY important because I am going to a new school with a new teacher! I have been at the same school since I moved here 6 years ago, so this is BIG.

Here are some summer highlights....

Summer really starts at our house on the 4th of July. We always go to the Chatham Parade and sit with our friends. My brother likes to make crazy hair styles and paint his face.

Our next adventure was to Woodstock, VT. We went there with my Dad's family. He has 5 brothers and sisters and I have lots of cousins. We stayed at a big house and saw lots of cool things along the Quechee River like covered bridges and the gorge. We had family Olympics and campfires.

I got a new beach chair this summer from Cape Cod Beach Chair. They made it special for me with my name on it. It has straps so I don't slide out! I got a new bed this summer too- the head and feet lift up and down- AND it has a massager!

Of course we went to the beach A LOT! We like to spend time at the pond in the fresh water mostly, but we go to the ocean to.

I love music and had music therapy with my teacher Ms. Sara Jane. She is GREAT!

 Here I am at the hospital after my surgery with my sister, Addy.

The best part of my summer was going to Camp Jabberwocky. It is an amazing camp for people like me. We go to family camp at the end of the summer and it is so. much. fun. We did archery, visited a farm, had a talent show, ate ice cream, visited alpacas, did yoga,  went to the beach, and I even went paddleboarding!

The last thing we did this summer was go to Bourne Scenic Park to go camping. We road bikes, went swimming, danced with a band and ate s'mores!

I hate to see summer end, but I really LOVE going to school too!