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Talking with Technology Camp!

Meeting Nick Roussos for the first time is essentially a quick lesson in the advances of technology. He uses an ECO II device, fondly named “Percy”, to speak …. a computer, if you will.

Kids from all over Colorado have enjoyed learning how Nick communicates. During his presentations in schools, he carries along his first ECO model so that students and teachers can test drive it themselves! Click here to see Nick’s Speaker Flyer.

The Children’s Hospital Colorado, in conjunction with Colorado Easter Seal Society, conducts a Camp in the summer for kids who use such a device to communicate. Talking With Technology (TWT) Camp is a week-long program developed by Children’s Hospital Colorado for young people ages 6 to 21 who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Children’s Hospital Colorado contracts with the Colorado Easter Seal Society for this week to be held each summer at its camp facility, Rocky Mountain Village, in Empire, Colorado.

This unique week-long program pairs the child with a graduate student or professional trainer the camper knows from school (such as a OT, paraprofessional, speech or ABA therapist). The pair then train together throughout the week.

IWanttobeHEard What an amazing opportunity to find ways for those without the ability to speak to find effective alternatives to make themselves heard!

Thanks Children’s Hospital and Colorado Easter Seals. Your work is truly awesome!

Posted in Awesome in Action, children, Children's Hospital Colorado, disability awareness, Events, learning, libraries, Local, Outreach, Schools, siblings, special needs, speech language pathology

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Tags: #livinthedream, advocate, awesome in action, Cerebral Palsy, children, disability, inspirational speaker, school

A Meeting of Two Authors: Children’s Author Deannie Humphreys-Dunne

Sep 4

Posted by AwesomeinAction

Meet children’s author Deanie Humphreys-Dunne. We were introduced by a mutual friend who saw that we had some common interests in writing children’s stories, animals, and horses.

I had the honor of reading one of Deanie’s stories, Tails of Sweetbriar, a silver medal Feathered Quill Book Award winner, and a Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention. Tails of Sweetbriar is the story of a young child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy joining in partnership with a failed racehorse who loves to jump.

I found the story personally inspiring, and let me tell you why: Tails of Sweetbriar chronicles young Deanie’s struggle with her diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, a physical condition that means she will never walk. In this intense, personal story of persistence and strength, Deanie pushes through her diagnosis to realize her goal of not only walking, but becoming a champion horseback rider.