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Hey all.
Brad and Shari Chang are the parents of Brandon, a Knight of the Order of
the Boys 3rd JYD.
There are no more vocal and supportive parents of our Knights program and of
their son, Brandon.
I know you have all seen their older son, Derek, at many of our tournaments.
He, like his family, always seem to have the biggest smiles and the hearts
that are bursting, full of love.
When I made contact with the Pediatric Therapy Network, I had no idea that
the Chang's had prior dealings with that organization.
Only now, when the interaction between us has happened, has Shari shared
this story with us.
Oh how fortunate are those who have no idea of how fortune has shined upon
them.
On this club, are parents who are facing formidable challenges each day.
The Penas, Marcos and Yumi, with JP.
The Changs, Brad and Shari, with Derek.
When I think of these two families, all I can see in my mind's eye are
people who care about others as much as themselves.
Always cheerful, always accentuating the positive.
Always filled with the love of the Lord.
Please read what Shari has shared with me today.
Give a big hug your kids and then let's all get working on that PTN Wish
List!
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Hi Bob-
Brad and I wanted to thank you for associating
the San Pedro Knights organization with PTN.
We have a personal fondness and gratitude for
all Zoie Mailoux (the Director) and all of the extremely dedicated
Occupational, Speech, and Physical Therapists that work there and
have worked there throughout all of our 12 years with them.
As you may or may not know, our oldest son
Derek was born prematurely 15 years ago with multiple medical
abnormalities – corneal occlusion in left eye (no sight), both nasal
passages blocked, stomach disorders and several other things… which
resulted in 17 surgeries in his first year and a total of 26 by the
end of his second year of life.
All of these abnormalities caused many delays
in the “normal” infant milestones that we all take for granted-
eating (didn’t eat by mouth until 3 ˝ years of age), walking (didn’t
walk until 2 years of age), touch (hypersensitive to the feel of
certain textures in his hands and in his mouth,) sight (no sight in
his left eye caused his peripheral vision to be impaired), talking
(didn’t say his first real words until about 4 years old), etc.
If we didn’t connect with PTN when Derek was 3
years old and start with their sensory integration program, I don’t
know where we would be today. They are truly the best in their
field, but more importantly they care so much about each one of
their clients.
We have spent many countless hours with their
therapists teaching Derek how to eat, gain strength in the fine &
gross motor areas, speech therapy, sensory touch therapy and
occupational therapy.
Although our school district has basically
said that Derek does not need their services anymore (meaning they
don’t have funding for him because there are more children in need),
Derek still participates in Camp Escapades as a “volunteer in
training”. He will be there in August helping as much as he can.
We will forever be grateful to PTN and have
made many special friends there.
Thanks again for this great partnership that
you have formed with PTN and we will continue to support them as
much as we can… for as long as we can.
With deepest appreciation,
Brad, Shari, Derek, Lindsey & Brandon Chang |
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