Our teenage son, Helmuth Roger, is a miracle in all sense of the word.
When he was born nearly seventeen years ago, doctors didn't hold out much hope for him. They said he wouldn't live the day: now he's about to be seventeen in a month and a half.
Helmuth was born with cerebral palsy that has left him unable to walk or speak; yet what he lacks with voice or mobility, he more than makes up for it with his belly laughs or his sparkly personality. He's the type of kid that has a personality that enters the room before he does.
Helmuth goes to a regular school; however, he's mainstreamed into regular classes. He is incredibly smart; he is able to keep up with his classmates most of the time. He doesn't take any special classes except adaptive physical education.
Our son is unable to eat by himself; to assist him, either I or one of his younger sisters handfeeds him. Of course, he's a messy eater (more food ends up on him than in him!), but it's better than the alternative: being fed by a tube in the nose or in the stomach, like some of his friends are.
Helmuth loves to dance, watch television (he adores action thriller flicks or shows with car chases in them), read, listen to music (he likes Green Day, Evanescence, Usher, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Puff Daddy, Alicia Keys, Tiffany Evans, and Kelly Clarkson), go to concerts (he's seen everyone from Loretta Lynn to Tiffany Evans; has even met a good portion of them, too!), and travel. He is a typical teenager even though he lives with serious physical disability.
We are extremely proud of how well our son's adapted to his disabilities. We don't allow him to pity himself or get down in the dumps; if he does, we try to get him out of his blue funk, include him in everything we do. If people can't look beyond his problems or his wheelchair, then they're the ones who are really disabled, not our son!
Well, Helmuth's making his "Mom-come-here!" noise, so I'll tend to him. I will write in here again soon; take care and God bless!
~Written by Molly Michelle Manning, Helmuth's mom. :)
