Achieve Center:

A preschool for hearing impaired/Deaf children and their siblings.  Located in Chattanooga, Tn.  this wonderful school was a great support to Coulter and our family.  We love all the families that we grew so close to ...and there are no words to describe the care and concern they gave to Coulter and Annika.  It is a blessing to every family who has the priveledge of attending.

Fairmount Elementary School:

Coulter loved school. Our transition from the Achieve Center to Fairmount was scary for Terry and I.  But soon all our fears were laid to rest as Coulter fit right in with Mrs. Richardson's Kindergarden class.  He couldn't wait to go to school and was devistated when he couldn't go.  His good buddies Cody and Cross followed him to Mrs. Edwards class in first grade where they loved to swing and play 'monkey tag'.  We were so lucky to have such great teachers and wonderful interpreters  (Mr.McDonald, and Mrs. Wilson)!

 

 

Make A Wish, Org.

Who doesn't know Make A Wish?  Coulters wish was to meet Buzz Lightyear.  Make a Wish sent our whole family to Disney World so Coulter could see his hero in person.  We've got tons of pictures and memories to last a lifetime.

 

Give Kids The World

Imagine a world governed by a rabbit...where there is a 'house of hearts' and a 'castle of miracles'.  It's all there at Give Kids The World!  This is a village where kids from Make a Wish stay during their visit to Disney.  It's really an amusement park in and of itself.  Coulter and Annika loved it here.  They even have an ice cream parlor so you can have ice cream for breakfast.  Mayor Clayton can tuck you in at bed time and there is a special visit from Santa year round!

 

 

The Lighthouse Family Retreat:

A seaside retreat for children with Cancer and their families.  This opportunity was especially wonderful for our family.  While Make a Wish was a special event for Coulter, this was a gift to our whole family.  A time to have fun, experience joy again, and to reconnect as a family.  We all recieved wonderful intangible gifts from this experience:

Coulter received the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.....a greater sense of self, and the confidence that comes with that.

Annika recieved the gift of importance.....so often siblings have to take a back seat to the crazy medical events that are happening.  Not here....Annika was SPECIAL.

Terry recieved the gift of validation.....you are a GREAT Dad...and your trying hard and doing a good job. 

Nikki recieved the gift of openess.....being able to openly talk about Coulter's illness and the impact it had on my faith.

 

 

 

AFLAC Cancer Center/Scottish Rite Campus/ Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta

 

Who took care of Coulter for 6 1/2 years?  Dr. Boudreaux and our favorite nurses! Ann, Patty, Lynne, Karen, Ashley, .....just to name a few!  How we grew to love them and the care they gave Coulter and our family.  These dedicated professionals weren't just care givers, they were our friends and advocates.  They loved Coulter ......and it made us feel so great to feel so confident with the care we were getting.  We miss seeing them....they are part of our family story forever.

Cinncinnati Childrens Hospital:

The hospital that gave us hope.  When all the other hospitals were telling us 'no' Cinn. Childrens Hospital said, "yes".  While we knew the adventure we were about to undertake would be perilous, it gave Terry and I (as parents) great comfort to know that someone was willing to try to help Coulter.  I'm the first person to admit how scary it was to go there and how hard it was to turn over our 'control' of Coulter's medical care to them.  But, we were sent angels.  Several members of the staff went out of their way to care for us and tended not only to Coulter, but to Terry and I as well.  Nurse Amy, Nurse Amy, and Nurse Sarah helped to make us smile....and earned a special place in our hearts forever by genuinely loving Coulter