Inspection Day,
It’s Incredible.
You’ve been adopted.
Your house is accessible.

You are persistent.
You have a sense of humor.
Jim and Kathryn see it in you.
It’s not a rumor.
Jim seems enthusiastic about your future as he shows us your van.
Kathryn is committed to making you an independent young man.

You’ve proven your ability to use an electric wheelchair.
Though it stays at school, to bring it home I think you will dare.
You eat independently. You brush your own teeth.
Enjoy your new sink; you slide right underneath!

The phone, the alarm, the lights, the fan, the television channels,
your Environmental Control Unit gives you access to these,
and at the end of the ramp lies a great surprise ...
with an automatic door entrance, who needs keys?

Here’s to the Hunters,
a family of five.

Financial barriers could not stand in the way of your adoption.
A subsidy will meet your necessities.
Thanks to HHS Subsidized Adoption Program,
your parents will meet their responsibilities.

Only one thing was needed before things were ultimate,
a comprehensive plan by Rox, our Technology Specialist.
To include recommendations deemed appropriate.
To be reviewed by the Adoption Specialist.

Oh, it took such a long time!

Over a year with the Hunters.
Christmas came late, but better to wait.
From assessment to inspection another year flew by.
Two years and it’s here, now everything’s great.

Rox came into your home in December ’04
to gain your trust and understand your ability.
Like your parents she saw so much more
than a fifteen-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy.
What Rox did next was quite an experiment.
You were her first, adoption assessment.

Regarding mobility, an addendum was made.
Your manual chair is an issue, it just will not do.
It’s a problem you see, you’ve grown to big.
AT4ALL has an electric one that will work for you.

Hold up, miscommunication is at stake.
Your new manual chair was actually at school.
It could not be transferred in Kathryn’s car.
And the bus broke down, which isn’t so cool.

Once repaired the bus saved the day.
Your new manual wheelchair was on its way.
Now your physical therapist will work with you ...
Can you use the electric wheelchair someday?

A patient lift system is needed for those who help you.
You’ve grown to heavy for Kathryn to carry.
You can stand and hold your self up,
but walking and transferring is a worry.

AT4ALL came through again.
They had a lift system on wheels with a sling.
It’s been loaned to you on a permanent basis, under one condition.
You must give it back when it’s no longer your thing.

Then there’s your van. I repeat, your van!
And I won’t tell Jim as he thinks it’s his ... what a hoot!
First recommendations where planned for the Ford.
A lift was the option with a cover to boot.

Then something happened, what I’m not sure.
But a van was purchased and money was saved.
A lift was installed and your dad did rave.
Things were coming together, things everyone craved.
Just a few more inspections before we make our last wave ...

... more modifications at home are a must.
The width of doors, they are too small.
There is a computer room at the end of the hall,
right next to the bathroom, they share a wall.
It’s not a support wall,
so it must go, Rox did call.
You won’t miss them, she claimed, you won’t miss them at all.
What’s about to take it’s place is most splendid of all.

There will be a barrier free shower pan,
and an accessible lavatory so you can wash your hands.
There will be room to get tidy when you must stand.
There will be many things in place if you dare think you can.
Given some time you will be a brand new man.
Safety and stability will be of utmost importance, you must understand.
With a flick of a switch there’s still more to come.
What’s about to take its place is most splendid of all.

Continued on Page 3.

* Background graphic designed by Levi Shafenberg