Good News!!
By Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
United States
February 9, 2007 6:30am CST
My son is 12 and has CP. He is nonverbal. My son finally is going to get his new communication device. It is called a Vanguard. You can see it at www.prentrom.com. It will be so good for him. He will be able to communicate with everyone and prove to everyone whathe does know. He had a simple one up to 2 years ago and it broke and was going to take $2000 to fix it. The school was responsible but wouldn't because new oe was only $2800 and he was being evaluated for a new one. We ordered the new one in April of last year and we are FINALLY getting it!! It can run anything with a remote control, be a cell phone, and a way for him to be functional. I am really excited to see what he can learn to do with it!!
8 people like this
27 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
9 Feb 07
How wonderful for your son that he will once again be able to communicate with others. I can't believe it took so long for you to receive this unit. Huggers to you both!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
That is insurance and medicaid for you. It takes forever.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
12 Feb 07
The prior approval process can take a long time. I remember cases where we thought that an item would be approved, we had all of our ducks in a row and every bit of documentation in order only to have it disapproved for whatever reason. Nevermind that the item would improve the persons quality of life.
1 person likes this
@melanie652 (2524)
• United States
9 Feb 07
That's great! Sorry to hear it's taken so long to get it. That would be tough not to have a good way to communicate? It would also have to be frustrating knowing the school was responsible for breaking the other one and then refusing to pay for it!
2 people like this
@joelofcow (193)
• United States
9 Feb 07
a cell phone,and a remote controll no freaking way that dudes gonna be better than a normal kid
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
thanks, I'm sure the school thought that it would be here before now. They just could not see putting money into it when he was up for another one, but he would have gotten alot of use out of it.
@beautyoperater (1890)
• United States
9 Feb 07
That's wonderful. Now maybe people with treat him with more respect. I hate it when people don't respect the handicapped. I'm really happy for you and your family. Tell him to talk up a storm.
@CerealMom3 (86)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I'm glad to hear that your son is getting the equipment that he needs.
2 people like this
@peni88 (469)
• United States
9 Feb 07
that is so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations. i hope that he does well with it and be able to communicate with you guys.i cant believe how long it took for them to evaluate him and approve a new one. it sounds so neat.
@blueskies (1186)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Terrific news :)
I'm so glad these devices are out there to help people who can't communicate in the typical way. It's disheartening that there aren't more programs out there to provide affordable devices to families that need them. I think it's a shame that you had to wait nearly a year for a replacement, but I'm glad that the new one is an upgrade. That's so cool about the remote and cell phone features. I'll bet he's excited, too!
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
He is excited. I'm not sure it is real affordable. I think the price is a little steep. It seems everything for these children is. Hopefully he will show them up.
@weemam (13372)
•
9 Feb 07
I wish you and your son all the luck in the world , My son was born with CP almost 17 yrs ago , he was expected not to live and he has a college degree and is now doing 2 university courses , I hope its not too long before your son can show everyone just how clever he is ,,, ours did xxxxxxxxxxx
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Way to go!! I am so happy for your son. Thanks so much for the hope and encouragement. It is nice to hear some that have beat the odds. I hope my son can prove them wrong.
1 person likes this
@wahmbuddy (391)
• Canada
10 Feb 07
How wonderful that is for your son and for you! I know what it's like to deal with special equipment needs. I can be an endless nightmare. We know what our kids needs, it can be frustrating trying to fight for it. But once they get it -- wow it's sure worth the struggle.
Congrats to your family.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Feb 07
This one really has been a nightmare. Now we are in the process of waiting on a answer about a power wheelchair.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
22 Feb 07
What a wonderful thing for your son and your family! I hope it helps to make your son's life easier.
I have a friend with CP that I grew up with. She now lives in an independence house not far from me. It's wonderful to see how far she's come.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Feb 07
We are still waiting. It will be at least 2 weeks before we see it. It could be up to 8 weeks. Thanks for asking.
@kris182_2000 (5453)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
Congrats and good luck with this. I hope it goes well for all of you.
It's always hard not having a means of communication. Now it opens up many doors.
2 people like this
@4dapeople (13)
• India
23 Feb 07
that great.... i`m an speech pathology student.... it`s good 2 see an special gifted child been rehablitated.........leave him 4 speech classes they will better up.......
1 person likes this
@aRiSdGrEaT (621)
• Philippines
23 Feb 07
I had seen the site... thanks it is an answer for many prayers in the same case as your child.. goodluck to both of you
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I hope it proves to make a big difference for him. We really can't wait!!
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I think that is wonderful that he is finally getting the machine that he need so much! I can't believe that the school wouldn't take responsibility for the one that they broke. How could they let that poor young man go for 2 years without something he depends upon for communication, expecially at school!!? Good luck to him as he learns to use his new machine!
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Thank you. The school did have a cheap talk 8. It is a very simple pick a picture type device with 8 choices. It was very limited. He used it in kindergarten.
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
9 Feb 07
I bet it must be frustrating for him not to have a way to communicate. At least now he can if he wants to. That is good news for you guys.
@joelofcow (193)
• United States
9 Feb 07
well thats really cool for him now he dosnt have to worry about some1 making fun of him and talk what he needs
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Wow! I have seen some earlier versions of communication devices, but that is beyond anything I ever experienced. Behaviors and learning are so dependent on communication. Does your son have enough motor control to do any signing as well? It is too bad that he has had to be without a communication device for almost a year. I guess there is no such thing as a loaner, huh? I know that you know what your son knows, and I understand that some people cannot see beyond the disability. I bet he is really excited as well, or have you told him yet?
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
12 Feb 07
He cannot sign very well. He is not coordinated enough and does not have the ability to get his fingers in the right positions to do it. They did get a loaner for about a month. They had to take it back as another child needed to be tested with it and that was all.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I am happy for you and your son. I hope you get it soon. I'm sorry but I did not see this before. And what a coincidence, I knew one of my friends had a child with CP, I just couldn't remember who. I might be looking for some advice or just moral support soon. I have an idea that we will be handed that diagnosis real soon for my grandson. He is 7 1/2 months old. If you want to know more about him, I have his website on my profile.
@kmaureenws (57)
• Philippines
12 Feb 07
That is great news, I'm so happy for you! I have a friend, their only daughter has CP. I wished those kinds of devices will also be available here in the Phils. And hope it's affordable too..
@serialmommy (639)
• United States
10 Feb 07
that is absolutely wonderful news!!! i have a special needs child, who is verbal, though has difficulty in expressing his thoughts and i know how frustrating it is for him to not be able to convey what it is he is thinking and trying to say.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
10 Feb 07
It is horrible. It is very frustating for him, when we don't understand and me when I can't figure it out.
