ReachOutGiving

December 1st-December 31st: The family had a IEP meeting with the NYC DOE about Nicholas' future and his physical therapy. During the meeting his physical therapist came to a conclusion that Nicholas is healthy to be around the school education atmosphere, so they are graduating him from PT. Funny how since the family brought a lawyer to the meeting and the DOE brought District 13 PT Supervisor, a DOE PT Manager and one of the assistant principal at Nicholas. The meeting was both positive and negative and at the end of the day, we resolved nothing. The celebral palsy results from two years ago in which the physical therapist team from the DOE did not pay attention to, this time around the Manager paid attention since the lawyer was there and results from Nicholas' last check up from HSS. After that meeting the DOE is playing hard and after listening to there report on Nicholas the family came away stunned with the lies and inconsistency of there report. The holidays was great.  

November 1st-November 30th: The Nicholas Modestin Toy Drive is in full swing. Both local NFL football teams donated gifts for the toyr drive. The New York Giants donated an autograph football for a lucky fan and the New York Jets donated a big box that only the party coordinators know what they donated. Queen of All Saints Roman Catholic Church in which Nicholas and family attends is one of the big spots of dropping off gifts for the toy Drive. Nicholas gave a speech after the 1030am mass and looked outstanding. Thanksgiving was quiet as the Modestin family went upstate New York to spend time with Nicholas' mommy side. This time around every body had to pitch to complete the dinner. The weather was nice so the kids got a chance to play outside. Report cards came out and it was a solid day for Nicholas and a day full of joy and smiles for mommy and daddy. Still no physical therapy at Support By Design for Nicholas as he just has 2x30 at school. Mommy and daddy just have to wait for his IEP meeting in December and hoping for the best that Nicholas will get the much needed physical therapist back from the district 13 office.

October 1st-October 31st: Look who was on TV on PIX 11 Morning News. Nicholas was a model for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of NYC modeling clothes for Burlington. He had a great time with another who won the battle against childhood cancer modeling clothes on live TV. Once mommy/daddy get the link of the news they will display it. Nicholas danced the nene while modeling. Mommy and daddy did not get a answer back from the PT Supervisor, so for now Nicholas gets only 2x30 PT therapy at school. The NYC BOE does not realized how much Nicholas needs to continue his outside therapy to build back up his muscles in his legs. At least one person would disagree with the PT Department. Nichols had his yearly check up at Hospital of Special Surgery and during his check his left leg is still weak and needs to continue outside with the right exercise machine to build back up his muscles in which therapy at school can't give him. For Nicholas to get back strong after his check up, he needs the consistency of physical therapy after school. While the family hopes for a change of mind and decision from the PT Supervisor, mommy and daddy are creating and doing extra physical therapy at home with Nicholas. Walking longer routes after school and running around the MS track around the apartment. Saturday Academy started as PS 11 gets Nicholas ready for his state test in Science, Math ELA. His teacher Ms. Morris is getting him ready for the test. One thing in favor for Nicholas in his firve years at PS 11, is that he has been blessed with having solid strict, discipline teacher who gets the best out of him. The homework she gives Nicholas, has him writing two paragraphs a night that is improving his writing and how he can break down a chapter a put it in writing and math skills that has him resolving the problem with a show of work and quick response. After Saturday Academy, Nicholas goes to choir practice at school. This year he belongs to thre choir. Saturday Academy, PS 11 and Queens of All Saints. Nicholas love to sing and now he can practice and show the world his voice. This month was also Nicholas' six month check up at the hospital. He grew a couple inches to 54 and lost a couple pounds to 102. His flexibility is getting better, but you can still see the stiffness in his legs. To build back up his muscles, mommy and daddy have to do research and find a stationary bicycle for Nicholas to pedal and built back up his legs to continue his fight and determination to ge back 100%. The Nicholas Modestin Toy Drive started this month as Nicholas spent the weekend with his father passing out the letters. This year Nicholas is doing his toy drive out of Queens of All Saints Roman Catholic Church and he passed out letters to the restaurants around the Fort Greene/Clinton Hills area. Nicholas and daddy did a lot walking one Sunday that when the days was over, Nicholas realized how much walking around DeKalb Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, parts of Fulton, Lafeyette Avenue and Classon Avenue.    

September 1st-September 30th: The month started off on a good note as Nicholas participated in Mets Kids Day sponsored by the Mets and Leukemia Lymphoma Society of New York. He got a chance to bat and throw the baseball with Mets players. The one thing he loves is running around the bases for a chance to see how his legs are doing. He was running with his braces and did a great. The only mistake was he missed touching third base. The weekend after that he got invited by Moms in Training to spend a day having fun and exercise. Nicholas stood out in the Hip Hop Class dancing the Nene that he left him father speechless. School started out on a great note then in the second week school, Nicholas was moved from one class to another class. The reason was his IEP. PS 11 got a new student with a IEP who needed to be in the ICT class so to accomodate the student, Nicholas was moved to another class. Nicholas was upset about the move, but he had to move due to school and state laws when it comes to IEP students. Mommy, daddy and Nicholas went to speak to the principal at PS 11 and she explained the rule and laws of the IEP. The decision was made and Nicholas had a new teacher. After four days in one class, Nicholas got adjusted to his new teacher and new classmates. Mommy and daddy had a meeting with the new teacher and she broke down the subjects and steps of what Nicholas will be learning throughout his year in 4th grade. The one bog thing is every night he has to read a book for  hour and write two paragraph summary. Daddy taught Nicholas to write down key points of chapters and turn it into sentences and that will be great help of writing the two paragraphs. The greatest feeling for the whole family was going to see Pope Francis in Central Park. On that day Nicholas went to school to take a math test and daddy took him out to see Papa Francisco. His teacher was happy that one of her students was going to see the Pope. Nicholas and daddy waited for at least five hours to see Pope Francis and it was a special day. First a rainbow came out in the sky and then the Pope Francis gave us a blessing as Nicholas held out a picture of himself and a miraculous medal. After the Pope Francis passed by, Nicholas was interviewed by 1010 WINS News radio. All the happiness of the Pope dashed away the week after as the NYC Board of Education will not approve of giving Nicholas his RSA Packet to continue working with Lima at Support By Design. Since the mandate says that PS 11 got two Physical Therapist, Nicholas can do all his PT therapy in the school. This means that Nicholas will be taking out of class four days a week in which mommy and daddy would not accept. After going back and forth with the PT Suprvisor, he decided not to approve the RSA packet and rather have Nicholas lose PT sessions and have him taken out of class four days a week. The NYC BOE say they care and nuture a child education, but how can they care and nurture of taking a kid out of class four days a week. Parents have the right to protect there children and the supervisor rather see the mandate instead of Nicholas' health first. Now mommy and daddy have to wait and see if the paprent advocate can help with the decision. A lot of loop holes like two years ago and hope they realized they mistakes they made.  

August 1st-August 31st: Nicholas was happy to get his state test grades and he passed both Math & ELA with flying colors. Thanks to all the great teachers at PS 11 who guided him in preparing for the state test at Saturday academy. With camp about to over, mommy and daddy had to plan what they were going todo with Nicholas for three weeks before school started. The family spent time traveling and sightseeing, visiting family and going to physical therapy to finish off the summer. 

July 1st-July 31st: Nicholas became more mobile and improved his body motion with the help of his summercounselors having him swim every day of camp. Heat wave was beaming hot sun this month and it was great for the campers to be in the pool swimming and learning. For everytime Nicholas was in the water, his left leg was getting stronger and his stamina of walking and running longer got better. 

June 1st-June 30th: Another solid school year for Nicholas and he finished off Ms.McCoy 3rd class with grades that brought smiles to mommy and daddy. Summer camp started for Nicholas and he was off to Sunrise Day Camp to enjoy himself with other campers till August. 

May 1st-May 31st: The family heads down to the nations capitol for Nicholas' cousin Chanel graduation from Howard University. Nicholas was happy to see his cousin and told the world about her graduation from his therapist to his teacher. We drowve around DC so Nicholas could see the monuments.  

April 1st-April 20th: Nicholas goes for his three month blood test at the hospital. He gained about 2 pounds and grew about 1/2 inch. Overall his body is getting more flexible and he is feeling more confidence in himslef in running around and not thinking to much of his next move. Physical Therapy is getting more intense in both at school and at support by design. The one thing that Nicholas is getting better at, its his stamina and endurance. He can run/walk a good distance with losing his composure. During the spring break week, he spent his time visiting family and going to therapy.   

March 1st-March 31st: Happy Birthday Nicholas. You are 9yrs old. Mommy and daddy surprised Nicholas by taking him to Lion King on Broadway and dinner after the show. He was excited and enjoy the show and especially sang all the songs he knows from the Lion King. PS 11 started a boy's chior that Nicholas became a member that will br practicing after the three hours of studying for the state test on Saturday. The one talent that Nicholas has other than his love of building robotronics, he loves to sign. He likes to sign the 80/90 classics during the house when mommy and daddy are listening and dancing.  The biggest honor of the month, was when Nicholas was honored and became a honorable knight at  St. Baldrick's Foundation Shave For A Cause Event. The event was to raise money for Childhood Cancer, as Nicholas and another kid, cut hair to donate to kids battling that deadly disease we call Childhood Cancer. Nicholas cut the hair of man and the event raised $25,000. We Say Thank You to the Ryan Family & St Baldrick's for the great event and honoring Nicholas.

February 1st-February 28: Quiet month as Nicholas continues to get ready for the state test in April after his Spring Break. He has gotten a little taller and running more with more control of his body and not getting off track. He started a therapy is which he just works with hand motion and kicking. Sometimes when he walks he just does not move his left arm, but now the therapy is working on motion, strength and coordination. 

January 1st-January 31st: Happy New Year. Nicholas brought in the new year full of spirit, love and happiness. During his Christmas brwak, he spent time with family and friends. This was the first Christmas and New Year, the family decided to stay home and relax instead of traveling. Once school started, he was back getting ready for the state test, by going to Saturday Academy. PS 11 is getting the students ready and every day Nicholas' parents can see the difference how he is approaching the test. One weekend Nicholas was pplaying basketball with the Men's Basketball team from St. Francis College of New York. he shot, ran and improved of using the back board of getting his shot in. The one big improvement is his physical therapy both in and out of school. Lima continues to work him on stamina and improving his flexibility at Support By Design and Peter from NYC DOE is working more on mobility and having him use his whole body of creating more sports like games to make him use his whole body. Lima has ordered Nicholas to wear night braces to make the legs stronger and straighter.