October 2, 2010 update

Hi all,

Tonight is Nick's Homecoming dance, his senior year! We're excited for him and hope he has a great time. You'll have to check out our post from last year, dated October 11, 2009, Nick's first homecoming dance or dance in general. I'd say it was a "family affair" and we're much more "relaxed" this year;) So, we'll post pictures soon.

Nick's enjoying his senior year so far! He has a great schedule and is taking a few classes that he REALLY likes, one is Sports Management and one is Sociology. He's doing VERY well and getting ready for the upcoming wrestling season to start. So far he's just been conditioning/lifting weights for wrestling. Also, I'll post later about this in detail but we're getting ready for some college visits and contacts as applications need to be completed soon. Also, Nick will be completing his driving portion of his driving school soon and I'll post about that. We have a wonderful person from the Bridges to Transition Program who is helping us with getting Nick connected to and ready for work, college, driving, etc. We're so grateful for the help. We knew this would be a busy year and we're trying to enjoy it!

We also received an order form this week for Nick's cap and gown and graduation announcements, which made it VERY REAL and I had quite an evening of reaction and reflection which I'll write about more later.

Isabella is enjoying her dance classes and has started taking the violin, which she is really enjoying. Plus, she is loving the 5th grade. We can see so many changes in her, as we do with both of the kids every year. I think that is really one of the best parts of being a parent. The thing I find most enjoyable being a parent is watching them become these "people" they are becoming, the constant changes and maturing, their personalities developing along the way. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm most definitely feeling that time is going by very fast, too fast, and I realize how important it is to enjoy it and take it all in.

Blessings:)
Amy

Josh Blue

Hi all,

This past Thursday night, September 30, 2010, Greg, Nick, Isabella, and I, along with both sets or our parents, attended the Woodlane/Community Employment Services (www.woodlane.us/adultServices.php ) 25th anniversary celebration at Fat Fish Blue/Levis Commons (Perrysburg, OH.). They put on a wonderful celebration, great food, and featured comedians BT and Josh Blue. They were both so funny. We had a GREAT time!

For those of you who don't know, Josh Blue is a man with cerebral palsy, a comedian who won NBC's Last Comic Standing Season Four, a husband and father who lives in Denver, Colorado, and a Paralympic athlete. His web site is www.joshblue.com. He uses his sense of humor to defy stereotypes and encourage others to overcome their preconceived notions of individuals living with disabilities. He is SO funny! His sarcasm and "smart-a__" sense of humor reminds me of Nick's sense of humor. Nick also uses that to deal with his disability, teach others, deal with life in general, and well, it just IS who he is!

Thanks to Woodlane/CES and Josh Blue for a wonderful evening!

Blessings:)

Amy

Rights Gone Wrong: Disability Groups Vs. Gleeks With Disabilities

Hi all-

Here is a great article re: Glee. If you don't know, there has been controversy over the show's using someone without a disability in a role portraying a character with a disability. Personally, I wish more individuals with disabilities would be cast in shows. BUT, personally, we also love Glee and they DO use people with disabilities in some of their episodes (deaf or HOH individuals, Downs syndrome) and they've had MANY episodes with great disability awareness messages. The author of this article makes some good points. I can see both sides of the debate and understand, but all of us in Team Hyndman are "Gleeks". If you haven't watched the show, you can rent the DVD first season, which has some of the best disability awareness episodes. Check it out if you're interested. Below is the link to the article.

Blessings:)
Amy


Rights Gone Wrong: Disability Groups Vs. Gleeks With Disabilities

John Wooden Quote

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."-
John Wooden

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."-
John Wooden

Hi all-

Two great quotes from basketball Coach John Wooden. The first one is in Nick's senior picture book and I think it is a perfect description of how Nick has approached his life.

Blessings:)
Amy

Great Quote

Hi all,

I LOVE a great quote, especially ones that have so much meaning to me. I'll try to post great ones I see from time to time. Do you have any great, inspirational, motivational quotes you'd like to share? If you do, please share them with us!

Blessings:)
Amy

‎"I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." Lily Tomlin

University of Illinois opens new dorm for students with disabilities - chicagotribune.com

University of Illinois opens new dorm for students with disabilities - chicagotribune.com

Happy 11th Birthday Isabella Grace Hyndman!

Happy Birthday to our girl! Today is Isabella Grace's 11th Birthday! Happy Birthday Bella:) We're so grateful you were born:) You Rock! We Love You!

Love,
Dad, Mom, Nick
Oreo, Ozzie, and Charger too:)