Endless Summer!
Well, summer’s been a wild ride!! So much fun stuff’s been going on that we haven’t had a chance to post in a while. But I’m finally on it and we’ve got new albums for all to enjoy!
First:
Cole went to his first homeschooler field trip to the California Science Center on May 23. It was a blast…literally! They studied air! Check it out: http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/CalScienceCenter2009#
Then, On May 29, we were asked by Corey Hudson, the National Head of Canine Companions for Independence to join him for lunch with international Australian businessman and philanthropist Mel Gottlieb. Mr. Gottlieb is a big supporter of the Australian version of Canine Companions and his interests lie in supporting organizations that benefit children. He wanted to meet a child graduate team, so Mr. Hudson invited us! Cole, Mel and Ilia became fast friends (we hope to see him at the end of this month!) and he is in now in the process of donating to Canine Companions for Independence! That means another child will get a dog!http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/MelGottlieb2009#
On May 30, we went camping at McGill Campground in Fraiser Park. The van handles so easily that we were able to take it right up to the campground and there was still plenty of room for the ramp to extend. This van makes life ACCESSIBLE!!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/McGillCampingTrip2009#
On June 22, Cole started summer camp. He and his fabulous caregiver, Eddie, spent nearly every day in the surf boogey boarding, exploring sea caves and generally irritating tidepool creatures. They also visited the Autry Museum and other fun places and had a real, actual campout! http://picasaweb.google.com/MassieFamily97/SummerCamp2009#
On July 8, Cole shot the final material for the Shane’s Inspiration Educational Outreach Video. We hope to be able to post it here soon! This is a program that will be shown in classrooms all over California!
Our latest achievement is our favorite yet: Yesterday we were asked by Shane’s Inspiration to attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. The Los Angeles Dodgers want to donate “The Dodger Dream Field” to Anthony Beilenson Park (Lake Balboa) in Encino. This will become Los Angeles’ one and only wheelchair accessible baseball park. Several of the residents didn’t want it because they were afraid it would spoil the views and disturb the park’s wildlife, even though a very thorough report by the Army Corps of Engineers found otherwise. 25 people showed up to speak and only 4 of them wanted the field! When our turn came, Cole, Ilia and I all went up to the podium. I told them I understood they didn’t want their park disturbed, but that virtually everywhere else in the city had turned us down. I asked politely if we could please share their nice park. After so many people spoke against it, I didn’t think we had a chance…BUT IT PASSED!! In 2011, Los Angeles will have its very first totally accessible baseball field, donated by the Dodgers! Woo-HOOOOO!!!!
OK…I’ll try to post more often so the entries will be shorter!
