Updates from Stacia

I am really enjoying my Dynavox Maestro. I have even learned how to modify it myself. No my parents were not crazy enough to teach me that. I figured it out on my own. I like messing with settings on computers. I can move the tool bar around on the computer at home and have even learned how to make some of my mommy's favorite sites go really really small. Mommy is going batty with all my messing with the computers.

I am working on learning to use the potty, I can tell when I am wet I just need to figure out when I need to go. Mommy got me some new Happy Heiny's pocket trainers. They are so nice and soft on my bottom and come in really neat colors. It's nice being back in my fluff and the best part is no more having allergic reactions to the disposable training pants. Mommy says we will hang onto them for emergencies though since she was only able to get me 10 pairs-enough for 2-3 days between washes. Mommy was excited to get fluffy mail this afternoon. Once she showed them to me I proceeded to take off my pants and disposable training pants right in front of everyone.

We have a few temporary animals on our place. A family friend's cats are camping out in a camper trailer that was brought out. We are also fostering a couple of bunnies for the family while they go through a really tough time. My big sister Bridget is trying to show that she can be responsible for a temporary pet. She wants to convince Daddy that she needs to have a pet. Mom was already convinced before all this that we need a pet, but Daddy is not. 

Saying Mama and Daddy

Stacia can finally say Mama and Daddy. Well sort of, she can touch the button on her dynavox maestro that has our pictures. She can also say Bridget.

We finally got some training on how to program and customize her dynavox maestro. Next step is to get Miss Stacia to cooperate so we can put her picture in. She can now say my name is Stay sha instead of my name is Sta sha.

Stacia has started telling Bridget that it's my turn and that's my side. I never though I would smile to hear her argue.

Tammy

Miracles Happen

Before everyone starts getting really excited No Stacia is not talking on her own yet.

We got the news sometime on Wednesday (28th) that our insurance was going to cover Stacia's Dynavox Maestro and that we needed to give the funding coordinator a call. Larry got this message when he checked his voice mail on his way home from work early Thursday morning.  I got to listen to the message when he got home since I was still up.

Thursday morning we called the coordinator back and found out that our insurance was covering 80% of the costs which means we only had to pay the remaining 20% this is getting better because we had figured at best they would cover 70% of the costs if they even covered it at all. From what I am finding out it is unheard of for private insurance to pay anything towards an AAC. We worked out what the monthly payment amount would be and got the paperwork faxed back.

I received a call at 4 pm that the device was being shipped and we should receive it the next day.  9:15 am Friday morning here comes UPS driving in, I went out on the steps without shoes and signed for her package. It was here.

Currently we are in the process of getting things set up and helping Stacia review how to use it. I say review because she did get some use on the trial one in therapy last summer.

We are all excited about her being able to talk more and have a voice.