This is my sweet baby brother, J.R. He was born when I was twelve years old and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him! :)
When he was only 13 years old he was injured in an accident. The accident left him a quadriplegic. He can't speak and he has no control over his muscles. He communicates with us by moving his eyes. He looks up for yes and he looks down for no. But mostly he just Smiles and he brings joy to us every minute that we are around him. For many years he has been pretty much stuck at home because of no way to get around. Medical transport will pick him up and take him back and forth to the Dr. but that's it. Until now.... because of YOU and your support of me on Teachers Pay Teachers I was able to take part of my earnings and buy a handicap accessible 15 passenger van. Our whole family will be able to go to Disney World this Summer. You have no idea what this means for my brother. His whole life has taken on new meaning. Now we can take him to the mall, to the movies, to the park, all the little places that we take for granted. All because of each and every one of you. I can't thank you enough. The smile on his face as we took him out on his first outing is priceless. Thank you so much for helping me change his life!





Well wishes for you. Much love too :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
That is awesome! I am so glad for your brother and your family to have this opportunity to spend time together to go to Disney World. Thank you for all of your creations and inspiring me to be a better teacher!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I'm so excited for you and your family! Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for everything you have done for us in the teaching world and for sharing your very moving story.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for shraing your knowledge, your ideas, and your story. Enjoy Disney!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! You (and your brother) deserve it!
ReplyDeleteJenn
http://finallyinfirst.blogspot.com/
I've been reading all of the news on TPT and saw how well you were doing. I am so happy that your success on TPT allowed you to help your brother and your family. What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for your brother that he finally gets to make his dream come true. I truly hope this opens up a new world for your brother and I am sure he knows how lucky he is to have a wonderful sister like you.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Cecelia
http://ilove1stgrade.blogspot.com/
How inspiring and such a blessing! Family is so precious! You have given us one more reason to continue to support your work! Thank you for sharing your talent and your story!
ReplyDeleteHow incredible is this story! I'm so thankful that you were giving the ability to create things that led to being able to purchase such a wonderful gift for your whole family. Enjoy every moment!!
ReplyDeleteDeanna, God bless you!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, Deanna! You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI just love you even more! You inspire me to not only be a better teacher, but a better person. Thank you for sharing your family and your story with us. Congrats! You guys really deserve it all!
ReplyDeleteMichele
You continue to be such an inspiration! I am so happy for you, your brother and your family. I hope that you make many wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteCurls and a Smile
Deanna, this brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy that with your hard work he is able to travel and spend time with his amazing family.
ReplyDeleteErica Bohrer's First Grade
that brought happy tears to my eyes. how wonderful for your family
ReplyDeleteI am crying like a baby!! That is so touching! Thank you for all that you do! Taking time out of your busy schedule to make all these wonderful resources for us!
ReplyDeleteBless you!
I can't wait to see pictures of your family at Disney World. You inspire my teaching but have touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteDeanna,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this with us. You are such an inspiration to so many.
Http//first-grade-friends.blogspot.com
This is so wonderful to read and thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAmy
What an awesome lady you are. I am so glad that I have gotten to know you over the past months. You are a great inspiration to many in the teaching world, and you will continue to inspire with your kindness and generosity. A big cyber hug to you and your brother!
ReplyDeleteBesides being a wonderful teacher, I'm glad I was able to make MANY purchases from a WONDERFUL PERSON!
ReplyDeleteTears, and happiness! What this world needs is more creative, energetic, hard working teacher-entrepreneurs! Thanks for leading the charge and setting a blessing of an example. Disney is favorite - how fun for your whole family to enjoy it together!
ReplyDelete-Leslie
KindergartenWorks
Such an uplifting story! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing accomplishment! I have to say you are an inspiration and a wonderful sister. Have fun driving everywhere and anywhere!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
@ http://missvuich.blogspot.com/
Thank you for sharing such a personal story. As others have said you are an inspiration to be a better person, not just better teacher! Have a wonderful trip this summer! What a wonderful way to spend your extra earnings! Blessings to your family!
ReplyDeleteprecious :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie
@ http://firstthingsfirst-smay.blogspot.com/
Deanna, what a wonderful thing for you to do! I have been so thankful for all of the wonderful things you have made and here you are being thankful for us. May the Lord bless you and your brother as you set out on your many journeys! SDNana
ReplyDeleteYou're an inspiration in so many ways!! I'm so glad to ( kind of) know you. Congratulations for it all! You deserve it!
ReplyDeleteThis just made my day! Trying-to-fight-the-tears! I am so happy for you and your family. Congratulations and I hope your family has a wonderful vacation together!!!
ReplyDeleteDeanna, that is just twelve kinds of wonderful. I am so happy for you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteI just did a little happy dance for your brother and you! Go out and have some fun! You both deserve it! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas - I know I benefit from them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! I'm so happy for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Prayers and love go out to you and your sweet family :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! You have me just a squalling! This is wonderful. I know that will be a trip none of you will ever forget. Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteJena
1st Grade with Miss Snowden
Look at that smile on his face.
ReplyDeleteA picture certainly is worth a thousand words.
Continued success to you and your wonderful family!
Oh my- You just made me cry. I'm so happy for you. What an awesome story and great picture. Congrats on your success and have fun in Disney!
ReplyDelete-Michelle
Fabulous in First
Truly amazing! I'm lovin the picture of the 2 of you with the new van. You both look so happy!
ReplyDeleteDeanna this brought tears of joy to my eyes. I love, love, love your TpT stuff but now the purchases I make from your store will have a whole new meaning. Yay for your brother and for your family. You are truly an everyday hero in my eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Congratulations on all your success, and I am so happy that your entire family gets to experience my favorite place in the whole wide world together. :D
ReplyDeleteCaitlin
thekindergarden.blogspot.com
How wonderful Deanna!! Thank you so much for sharing....I got chills! I hope you have so much fun in Disney!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, sweet act of kindness! Have a wonderful time on your trip! :)
ReplyDeleteDeanna, that is so wonderful! The look on your brother's face says it all!
ReplyDeleteYour teaching inspires me so much...I love purchasing your units on TpT, and like Teresa said above, now it will have new meaning. Thank you for sharing this personal story with us. You are going to have the best time in Disney!
Oh my word! This is amazing! :) So glad for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful act of love! I am so happy for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. I love using your units in my classroom. You have great ideas and a gift for sharing them. Glad the money has been so helpful to change you brother's life. May God continue to richly bless your family.
ReplyDeleteDeanna, you are a ROCK STAR!
ReplyDeleteYOU are an inspiration to all of us! You stay so positive and so busy. You are amazing! I wish I could be part of your kinder team! I am so glad that I was a part of helping your family!
ReplyDeleteWOW!! You are an amazing sister. Such a beautiful story and role model for all of us. I will be thinking of all of you enjoying your vacation to Disney together, the way it should be for everyone!
ReplyDeleteYou just brought tears to my eyes. Very touching! Your brother is so lucky to have such a loving and supportive big sister!!
ReplyDelete:)
Deanna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming story! Your teaching units are so creative and fun for my students, I love purchasing them.... now I love them even more! Best wishes to you and your family. I'm so excited that your well-deserved earnings are going to enrich the life of your sweet brother. Enjoy Disney... it's such a magical place! :)
~ Amy
Deanna,
ReplyDeleteThe world is a better place because of heroes like you. You have touched so many students, teachers, and family members with your kindness. You have all of our support, prayers, and hopes for continued success. You inspire us all to be better people.
Kim Swoveland
I am soo glad to know that not only are you an amazing teacher, but a kind and caring person. It is touching to know that the "extra" money you have made by sharing your wonderful ideas has not only blessed you, but also your entire family!!! May there be many more blessings to come!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Wow! Amazing story! Best wishes for your family!!!
ReplyDeleteI have added you to my sidebar...keep us posted on your trip!! :)
Sarah
http://mrstfirstgrade.blogspot.com/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDeanna, God bless you, JR, and your whole family. JR is a special blessing in your life and you are his special blessing.
ReplyDeleteOh Deanna, that just made me cry! YOU are so wonderful for helping him! My older brother has cerebral palsy and turns 50 next Monday. He loves life, laughs, smiles all the time and never forgets anything-dates, promises, etc. Although my brother can walk, it is getting more difficult for him to walk distances. How special for your brother to have such a wonderful sister like you! Please know I am saying prayers for you and I hope that all of your travels are safe ones! You truly are an inspiration to me! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteDeanna AND J.R...BLESS you both! This post left me in tears and smiling at the same time! J.R your smile is VERY contagious!
ReplyDeleteDeanna you ARE an inspiration to me, your many followers, and I am SURE a great one to your students.
Thank YOU for all you do...God Bless you!
Your brother and your entire family are truly, truly blessed. I hope the blessings continue for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThat is the sweetest post I have ever read. Truly, thank you for being a blessing to us and your brother. The picture of him says it all - we CAN smile and be happy even when things are tough. Precious.
ReplyDeleteI just can't thank you enough for all you do to make my teaching better. Your units are fantastic and I just can't wait until you post a new one for me to purchase. You are truly gifted. So thanks for all you do for me. God bless you and your family! Enjoy your trip to Disney...you will have a great time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! You are an inspriation for teachers! I wish you and your family many wonderful traveling experiences. May God continue to bless you and your family! Please post pictures of your trip; I will look forward to seeing your brother's smiling face! I'm constantly looking for your new units and will continue to purchase them! Thank you and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration, Deanna!! Bless you!!
ReplyDelete-Tracee (hungergameslessons.blogspot.com)
Blessings to you both!!
ReplyDeletesweet! thank you for being such a role model to me :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely AMAZING! I agree with the above poster...You have inspired me in so many ways...you are truly a special lady! I've enjoyed using a few of your files and hope to purchase more in the future! =)
ReplyDeleteTo the most awesome, inspiring brother and sister team in the state of Georgia! Thanks for giving a lot of people something to smile about.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story!! May God Bless and keep you and your family all the days of your life!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!! ~Laurie Ayers
May God bless you and your family! What a wonderful inspiration! All of our family's best to your brother and his outings!
ReplyDeleteDeanna,
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story. A brother is a gift from God! Continued blessings to you and your family.
xoxo
Deena
This post brought tears to my eyes. It is not only because of us who've purchased your items on TPT, it is because of YOU. YOU continue to inspire each & every one of us to become better teachers for our little ones. It is because of your tireless efforts and your big heart in sharing all your wonderful ideas with us. May God continue to bless you & your family.
ReplyDeletehi there.. has your brother every tried and eyegaze system to communicate... you can contact TOBII, PRC or Dynavox reps to trial the device, get in contact with a speech therapist who specialize in augmentative communication... what state do you live in(only asking because of funding)
ReplyDeletegod bless