November 6, 2003
This was the day of my first appointment at the DIC.  It was also the first time I met Suzie, my therapist.  I was only two years old, so I can't remember much, but I know that we played with some toys and Suzie helped me stand a lot.

January 13, 2004
I started to remember some of the things about the DIC now.  Suzie was still working with me, but I also had new friends named Angela and Andrea.  They worked with me and on my talking and on using my hands and legs.  I remember that I smiled a lot, but Mom said I always fell asleep on the way home.

May 18, 2004
I remember this day because I got my new leg braces that day, and I got to pick the color!  I picked blue Superman because it was my favorite.  My favorite things now is Disney Cars.  My mom still has my first braces, enough though I am bigger now.  She told me they remind us of how far I have come at the DIC.

October 28, 2004
I really remember this day because I remember my mom crying.  So did Suzie and Angela, and then I cried because they were crying and than we all laughed.  They were crying because it was the last day I had to use my wheelchair and the first day I started using my walker.

October 31, 2004
It was the first time I trick-or-treated on my own two feet.  I was Superman.  My mom said I really was a superhero, and she cried again.

February 10, 2005
I am really good at talking now, and Andrea has given me pictures for the words I can't say.  But I am practicing at home so that is helping.  At therapy I am working on coordination, and I play with this big red ball a lot, and on the big red bike, which is my favorite.  Suzie barely has to push me on it because my legs are so strong!

November 17, 2005
Today was my favorite day ever at The DIC.  Want to know why?  Because today I walked for the first time with just my braces and no walker!!  My mom and all the therapists cried again.  Even Mr. Wooley, the President, came to congratulate me.  I thought he was the real President like on TV.  That made everyone laugh again.

November 22, 2005
Suzie and Angela had a cake for me when I came to my therapy session today.  It said Congratulations On The Big Step, Jake!!  I reminded them that I took 7 steps, not just one.  They laughed but said the first step was the one we had worked hard for, and that every step is a big step.

September 29, 2006
I come to the DIC once a month now and work on my speech and my arm therapy.  Sometimes I get my braces adjusted too.  But I can walk really good, and even play with my friends in my neighborhood when I get home.  I want to be either a racecar driver or a football player.  My mom says that it is because of my friends at The DIC that I can reach my dreams.