Our “My Voice” Program and the impact it can have continues to amaze us all, and we want everyone to share in Jacob’s joy and that of his mother and brother on Valentine’s Day. The three of them joined us last week at a Press Conference to find more eligible kids.

Eilleen sent the following update to our CEO last night:

Charlie,

I was listening to your story about Mia and her brother using her iPad to ask Alexa to play Baby Shark.  It took me 2 days to think how that could help Jacob. 

Well, today I figured it out!  We have a voice remote for our T.V.  Jacob tries, very unsuccessfully most of the time, to tell our remote what he wants to watch.  I thought of an idea.  Why don’t we program Touchchat with pictures of all his favorite shows.  Now he can use his iPad to ask the remote to turn on his favorite shows.  Evan was able to help with finding pictures of all of his favorites. 

When we sat with him to teach him how to do it, he was so excited.  The first thing he wanted to try was the Penguins logo!  Sure enough, he got what he wanted.  Now he is watching the Pens beat Edmonton!!!

Thank you for all you do for our kids.

Eileen

Then, she e-mailed this 20-second video, which shows Jacob using his communication device for the first time to get the Penguins game on TV independently!

Jacob’s JOY at being able to do this himself is a reminder for all of us that this is very special work that we’re engaged in. We are giving kids the opportunity to do for themselves, the very things we take for granted.

P.S. On this Valentine’s Day, a day of love for one another, Eileen shines as an example of the love all our moms have in their hearts for these extraordinary children and youth.