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!