Stories, Hope & the Future

 

Field trip jitters: “When Alex woke up yesterday morning, he said, ‘My stomach hurts;  no school.’  But when his dad  and I sat with him, he told us he was nervous about his field trip.  (It is an incredible gift to us this year that Alex can “tell us” things).

 

We let Alex eat breakfast in bed and watch cartoons.  His dad and I told him that some mommies and daddies, no matter how much they love their kids or no matter how hard they worked, need help to buy food and clothes for their families.  And by being a bell ringer, Alex could help raise money for these families.

 

He nodded and understood.  I drove him to school instead of taking the bus, and lo and behold, he did great—he was just fine and so enjoyed himself.  

 

He handed out candy canes to those who gave donations, and when he got home, he said, ‘Mom, open and read my notebook; I did great, today’, and, he had.”  

 

Alex’s mother, (Dawn Ham-Kucharski …  (Alex has Alexism & is a graduate of Tanger School)

 

Tanger Fields

Drawing by

Damaris “Dee” Schulte

Tanger Fields:

Therapeutic, Educational, Accessible,

      Recreational Fun for All Children

 

We are the proud parents of Alex Ham-Kucharski, age nine, who was born eight weeks premature and had a stroke at birth, and has, subsequently, been diagnosed with many chronic conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, and bi-lateral hearing loss.  While many parents celebrate the on-time milestones of their children's first word, first steps, first scribble, we rushed from doctor to doctor trying to get in touch with somewhere that could help our son.  At age 20 months, our son's new pediatrician referred us to Early On school district services, and that insightful advice led us to the doorsteps of Tanger school.

 

For the next five years of our son's life, Tanger brought our son, Alex, to many of his first milestones.  With the help of their incredible therapists, teachers, and staff, we, too, got to hear our son's first words, which we thought may never be possible; see his first steps; his first jump; and his first artwork.  We, too, were helped by staff whom became our family and individualized our son's programs to fit the needs of our home and lifestyle.  Most importantly, our son became included in a community who used every resource to give him and us hopes and dreams.

 

Unfortunately, what is provided on the inside of Tanger School, is lacking on the outside--an opportunity for all children to participate in a playground where differences aren't noticed;  where limits don't abound;  where everyone has a chance to develop gross motor skills and play, outside, like any other child.  Children at Tanger are denied the opportunities of playground activity, which so many take for granted.  Please give the children of Tanger--those with neurological deficits, physical impairments, and gross motor delay, the opportunity to flourish in a park / playground setting.  Adaptive playground equipment will give the current and future "Alex's" of Tanger the opportunity to thrive, and even replenish the neurons which lead to communication, through gross motor and sensory in-put that an adaptive playground promotes.

 

Our son, Alex, is now in a fourth grade special education classroom in the district.  While he thrives in math, has speech, and enjoys his friends, he still lacks in the gross motor development which he would've received if Tanger had had an adaptive playground with access for all.  Science tells us, that with special needs kids, age 0-6 is the time frame for the greatest development to occur in their systems.  Please aide in this progression of an important populations abilities by supporting the new Tanger playground.

 

Thanks,

 

Dawn and Rich Ham-Kucharski

 

“My name is Morgan Franke. I am 17 years old and a Senior at Plymouth High School.  One reason I have kept my involvement with the Rotary through the Interact club is because of Tanger School.  Without the connection the Rotary has with Tanger School, I would not have the memories at Tanger that I do. Starting in 8th grade with the Youth Leadership I got to experience at Tanger Christmas party.

Not only did I have fun with the students, I got to know a few.  They taught me that everyone’s only human, and to live with what you have.  I have been back to every Christmas party since.  Listening to the Tanger Principal last year, I understood how important these Christmas parties are to the families of the Tanger students.  It really hit home to me to learn that these children do not get the opportunity to go see Santa at the mall because it can be overwhelming.  A part of my childhood would not have been complete without the yearly visit to Santa.  It is such a huge part of growing up for children, that I feel lucky to get the chance to be a part of that experience for these children.  The families are so thankful for the volunteers at the parties that you can’t help but keep coming back.

The Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M is trying to fundraise to build a special playground for the Tanger students.  I can’t imagine my childhood without constant trips to the playground.  It’s just so sad to think that the Tanger children can’t have those same memories.

With the special Tanger playground, these children can create those unforgettable memories that will help shape their futures.  Those friendships you make on the playground at school are ones that carry you throughout life. 

If I could help make these memories happen for the Tanger children, I would do anything.  Thanks to the Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M., we can. 

Anything the Rotary Club of Plymouth A.M. does to make these dreams happen, I stand by them one hundred percent.”

September 19, 2007 

 

 

“My name is Andrea Burdette.  I am a female, 18 years of age.  I am currently taking classes at Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, where I am going for a degree in Forensic Science.  When I was still attending Canton High School, I had the privilege to volunteer at Tanger to work with the students.  I plan to continue volunteering at Tanger to continue helping the many children at that school.  My experiences with  the Tanger children have given me a strong hope that the Playground Project will be completed for the advancement of the Tanger children.

Tanger has so much to offer the children that attend.  Not only are there categorical classroom programs to fit the specific needs of each chyild, but they even have adaptive physical education services, psychological services, and teacher consultant services.  There are many children who attend Tanger who have Autism.  Autism is a brain development disorder that causes impairments in social interactions and communications, along with restricted and repetitive behavior.  If Tanger were able to complete their Playground Project.  It would make recess, one of the most enjoyable times of the day for most younger children, a safe and excitable time for the Autistic children of Tanger as well.

I have had the chance to volunteer and work with many of the children from Tanger.  The Playground Project will benefit the needs of the Tanger children, giving them a chance to play in an environment that will be comfortable to them.  I believe it is important to give a child a comfortable environment to play in to help reduce the stress that the Tanger children feel when they find themselves in an uncomfortable environment or situation. Everyone strives for a less stressful life, and by the building the Playground for the Tanger children, we will have helped many children and teachers achieve this goal.  That is why this Playground Project would be such an important achievement that would prove to be a great benefit to all of the Tanger.”

September 16, 2007

 

Observations