A preteen girl with special needs makes her wishes known to Santa, thanks to the help of both her mother and her communication board. She is twelve years old, and she has cerebral palsy and brain damage and is mentally handicapped.

Dear Santa:

Hi! My name is Jodie. I am 12 years old. I live in Tennessee with my family. I am in a wheelchair, and I can't walk or talk. I also have problems learning. My family has to take care of me because I can't do it by myself.

I have been a very good little girl, and I hope you bring me some things for Christmas.

This is what I want:

1.) A stuffed "Grinch"
2.) A stuffed "Cat-in-the-Hat"
3.) A stuffed "Alf"
4.) Warm sweaters or sweatsuits, so I don't get cold. (I get cold easily because I am thin.) I would also like some warm socks (any color would do), some tennies, and a warm winter coat and some gloves
5.) A stuffed "Berenstein Bear" ("Mama")
6.) A box of diapers (EXTRA STRENGTH)
7.) A new wheelchair (My wheelchair is getting old, and it is starting to cause sores on my bum and on my back, and it hurts me.)
8.) A stuffed cheetah
9.) A new mattress for my bed
10.) Ribbons, rubberbands, and clips for my hair

That is my list for this year. If you can bring these things to me, I will be very happy. As I said before, I have been a very little girl this year, and I hope you know that.

Merry Christmas, Santa, and thank you for listening to me. I love you!~

~With much love, your friend, Jodie Faith Kay Sandusky (aged 12).

Oh! I forgot to say, God bless you too, and thank you for caring for little kids!