Merry Christmas!

     Wow, I haven't posted since Thanksgiving! I love Christmas! It's my favorite time of year. I like to hang out with my family. Also, I like to get presents of course. I like to give presents to people, too. Even though I am disabled, I can still have a great Christmas. All you need to have a great Christmas is LOVE. It also helps to have lots of food and presents. Don't forget to go to church!
     Cerebral Palsy is very hard for me. Sometimes, I don't know how I get through it. I get really down about it sometimes. I don't understand why I have CP. Oh well, I just have to live my life anyway. My mom tells me to focus on all the good things in my life, like my friends and family and all the awesome stuff I have.
     I hope everybody has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!
     Jack

Thanksgiving...

I am thankful for...
EVERYTHING! First of all, I am thankful for God and to God.
Also...
 my family (parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...)
 my friends
 my puppy, Bailey
 Xbox
 iPad
 Notre Dame football and basketball
 Illinois basketball
 The Chicago BULLS
 Derrick Rose
 The Cubs
 The Bears
 My Haines teams
 food...pizza, tacos, chocolate, Portillo's, Baker's Square pie...
 my Eco2 communication device/computer
 my wheelchair

Even though I have Cerebral Palsy, I have a lot of things that I am thankful for.

Nothing can stop me!

     Hey how is everybody? I'm on Thanksgiving break, so I finally have some extra time! School is going well. Now I'm doing basketball. A lot of the same kids from football are on the team so it's fun. We are undefeated! My friends are awesome athletes! However, my car is not awesome because it won't start. I might have to miss our tournament game today, bummed!
     Sometimes I still get really down about having CP. I try to flush my bad feelings down. It usually does work. Talking with my friends about it and my family helps too. Life is mostly awesome but there's so many things I wish I could do. I wish I could actually be playing on a team. I wish people could always understand me when I talk. I wish I could be more independent and my parents didn't have to go everywhere with me. I love having friends over, but I wish I could go to their houses sometimes. Even eating, I have to have someone help me so I don't get it all over! Oh well. I am lucky to have really great friends and family. Even my little sister helps me a lot. Don't tell her this, but she's pretty cool.
     I am so excited about the holidays! We are going to my Aunt Jen and Uncle Tom's for Thanksgiving. They live about a half hour away and they have the greatest dog, Captain. One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Why? You get to eat a lot and there's a lot of football! I get to see some of my cousins, too, and my grandparents and aunts and uncles. My uncles and my dad and grandpa love sports like I do. Then, of course comes Christmas. I LOVE Christmas! Maybe one of my upcoming blog posts will be all about Christmas!
     So, sometimes I do feel down about CP, but I know my life will get better. Everyone tells me that I can do just about anything I want to do. I kind of believe that, but sometimes it's hard to. I know one thing, "nothing can stop me!"
Have a Happy Thanksgiving... I just had the best idea! I'll do a post later this week about things I'm thankful for!

Wow...what a crazy two weeks I've had!

Hi everybody! I'm sorry I didn't post sooner. Wait until you hear what I've been doing! Some of you probably know about my touchdown It was great. My coach told me he was going to put me in as a running back at the end of the game. I was so excited. The other team let us have the ball because there wasn't much time left. I went out there with the guys, my friend Zach handed the ball off to me and I went for it. The other team didn't even try to stop me so it was actually easy to score. The whole team went onto the field and the cheerleaders too. They were all cheering and the parents were cheering. Even the other team cheered for me. I felt so good. There were even people crying!!! At first, I didn't get why it was a big deal but people said I inspire them and that they are so proud of all the boys for treating me so great. I'm glad if I have made people feel good. Since then, our phone has been ringing and ringing. My story has been in 3 local papers and even in the Chicago Sun Times! My mom and I, my coach and my team were on the news on Fox Chicago. Here's the link:
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19741216/8th-grader-scores-touchdown-in-game-of-life#.UG5Rp-4m3Ew.email

Anderson Cooper's talk show (Anderson Live) called and they might have us come to New York and be on his show. I guess the video has been on Fox News channel a bunch. They were going to have us on this weekend, but they had to cancel us. Good Morning America did a on-line story about me and my touchdown. We were invited to a Board of Education meeting for my school district to be honored by the superintendent. We have been invited to go to a Northwestern Football game. They said Coach Fitzgerald was inspired by me and wants to show my video to his team! This has been an awesome experience. I'm still hoping for the Today show or Ellen to call! Maybe the Bears will hire me! I am so thankful for all of this. I'll try to post again soon.
Later,
Jack

Jack's touchdown!

Hi everyone, Jack's mom here. Jack is busy at school, but wanted me to post about his recent 'adventures'. Last week, his coaches and teammates gave him the opportunity to be involved in a play in an actual football game. He scored a touchdown and his teammates, along with the opposing team's players and coaches, cheered and congratulated him. Truly a wonderful moment. Jack's story was on Fox Chicago news last week (I've included a link) and was in the Chicago Sun-Times over the weekend. I have also included a letter, sent by the dad of one of Jack's teammates. We have been contacted by Anderson Live (Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show) and this morning, I did a phone interview with Good Morning America for a digital-online story. Who knows where this thing will lead? Thank you, all, for your wonderful support of Jack.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19741216/8th-grader-scores-touchdown-in-game-of-life#.UG5Rp-4m3Ew.email

This afternoon, I attended the most memorable football game of my life.
The Haines Middle School and Batavia Rotolo 8th Grade football teams
played in the first round of the annual 8th Grade football tournament
held at Reid Field in St. Charles.  One of the members of the Haines
team is named Jack.  Jack must use a motorized chair for mobility, and
has not missed a game moving up and down the sidelines in support of his
team (rain or shine).

As the game drew to a close (the outcome of the game is
inconsequential), Batavia from its own 5 yard line called timeout and
coaches from both Haines and Batavia jogged to the middle of the field.
After a few minutes of discussion, both coaches returned to their teams
and the players got set to run a 4th down play.  Batavia, on offense,
snapped the ball and the quarterback oddly took a knee rather than
running a play, giving Haines the ball on Batavia's 5 yard line with
only a few seconds on the clock.  The Haines offense took the field, but
this time it was different -- Jack was with them in his motorized chair.
The players got set, snapped the ball, and handed it off to Jack.
Jack crossed the goal line, followed shortly thereafter by a swarm of
Haines (and Batavia) players and coaches celebrating his touchdown!!
Truly remarkable!!

A person might think this was just about giving Jack an opportunity he
normally wouldn't get.  However, it was really just the Haines coaches
and team (with the help of Batavia) saying thank you to a young man that
has provided inspiration and support as a teammate all throughout middle
school.  Contributions to a team can come in a variety of forms and
truly transcend the importance of the game itself.  Jack has certainly
made more than his share of contributions.....

A winning play in the game of life

Hey everybody--I will post soon, but here is a link to an article about me! Also if you're in the Chicago area, I will be on the Fox news at 9:00 tonight!

A winning play in the game of life - Aurora Beacon News

School is going well!

Sorry about the long wait for a new post. I've been pummeled with homework, especially writing.

Guess what Derrick Rose did? I posted something on his Facebook page and he replied to it the next day! I said "I believe that you will get back to 100%. I use a wheelchair all the time because I have Cerebral Palsy and you inspire me! I'm 13 and you are my hero." Derrick commented, "Thanks Jack, appreciate the support... Stay inspired and keep working hard!"

I have been feeling so good lately. I haven't been so down about having CP. I am helping with my school's football team (GO HURRICANES!) and we are 4-0-1. My friends on the team make me feel that I'm part of the team and the coaches have actually let me call a play in a game.

I wasn't ready for school to start but now I'm working really hard and getting good grades. I also get to see my friends more which is great. My teachers are the best. I feel like having CP doesn't matter at school.

World Cerebral Palsy Day!

        I apologize that it took so long to write this post.  My teachers gave me a ton of homework. Anyway, today is World Cerebral Palsy Day.  If you are on a social network post something about Cerebral Palsy.  You can also donate to United Cerebral Palsy if you want to. Another blogger is going to make a montage and asked me to be in it! Check it out!  azisamazing.blogspot.com

          I hate it when I can not do things that my friends can do. My goal is to be as independent as my friends are. Sometimes I feel left out when I don’t get invited to birthday parties. I think they are too afraid. I have a manual chair that can get on stairs. One of my parents can come if I need something. My friend Tyson invited me to his party and it meant a lot to me. My point is that I’m just a regular teenager.  I love to party as much as other teens.  Bailey, my puppy is doing great. Sometimes she gets puppy rage. She can be so sweet and is already growing a ton! Have a wonderful week!

Painting for Hailey: I Have Cerebral Palsy...so what, i'm still awesome!

Painting for Hailey: I Have Cerebral Palsy...so what, i'm still awesome!
This is a blog by a lady with a granddaughter that has CP. She interviewed me for her blog!

Back to school and Bailey!

     I can't believe I'm back in school! Yesterday was the first day and my day wasn't that great. I think because I'm not used to being back. Today was better and I'm trying to have a good attitude. I'm also helping out with my school's football team. I couldn't go to the first game because I had Physical Therapy. I hope the coaches will give me some duties. I enjoy being a part of the team and hanging out with friends.

     We got Bailey! We brought our puppy home last week. She is so cute! She likes to lick my face especially my mouth! She is so tiny and weighs less than 7 pounds. Bailey is also a little troublemaker. She chews on stuff and tries to get out of the kitchen which is not allowed until she's potty-trained. She sleeps a lot.

CP isn't the worst thing...and good news!

     Cerebral palsy is not the worst thing to face.  There are so many worse things people could face. At  church today someone told us about a trip to Haiti and how awful it is there. For example people that live in some places in Haiti are very poor and don't get clothes or clean water or enough to eat.  Another example is the people who have cancer. They have to go through a lot of suffering to survive.   What I am trying to say is that we shouldn't be feeling bad about ourselves just because our muscles don't listen! We should appreciate the things that we do have.  I'm blessed that I have a bunch of good things.  Some good things I have are a nice house and family and friends. When you are down, I encourage you to think about the good stuff in your life.
     I have some news.  Good news about the puppy. We are getting it on Wednesday! I am so excited! Her name will be Bailey Rose.  I chose her middle name because of Derrick Rose, my FAVE basketball player. The USA would have had no trouble against Spain if he were playing by the way. I have been watching a ton of the Olympics, especially basketball. USA! USA!

"Happiness is a warm puppy"

I found that talking to someone really helps me when I am feeling down.  They know what to say. Especially, someone who specializes in making people feel better.   If you are feeling quite down, talk to someone. They might give you some ideas on how to cope.   The last couple of weeks I have been feeling down about having CP. It gets frustrating to not be able to do simple things that other people can do so easily! I also like to pray about it. I know God is always on my side.

     Our trip was so fun! We got to eat out a lot and we stayed at a hotel. It was really nice and they gave us a handicapped suite. it had the biggest bathroom. The bed was the best and there were tons of pillows and a nice hot breakfast. On Saturday, we went to a park all afternoon. I played with my cousins. That night, we went to our friends house for a party.  The next day, we came to another friends house.   The next morning, we left.  

One more thing I am so excited about is that we are getting a puppy!!! She was born in June and we can’t bring her home yet, but we will soon. We got to stop to see the puppies on the way back from our trip. They were so cute! We don’t know which one is ours yet but I can’t wait!!! I am going to post some pictures of the puppies. One of them went to the bathroom on my lap! 

How hard is CP?

     Cerebral Palsy is really hard. I try to cope with it when I'm feeling down. Sometimes I just wonder why I have it. It's not fair! I talk to my parents when I feel down and that helps. They always know the thing to say. When you are feeling down make sure you talk to people you trust, it will help! Well, enough about that...

     Tomorrow we are going on a trip and I can't wait! We are going to visit some friends and some of my cousins will be there, too! It will be so fun because we get to eat out and stay at a hotel. We stay up really late and just hang out. They always act normal around me. Even though I'm disabled. It's important to me when people treat me like everybody else. I don't like it when people baby me at school or any where. My sister told this kid that just met me once "he's a regular kid like you, he just happens to be in a wheelchair". It was funny because she thought she scared him! 

     I heard a saying from Zach Anner who has CP (he is hilarious, look him up on You Tube). Zach said "when life gives you wheelchair, make lemonade!" Watching people like him helps me feel better because he is a lot like me and is having a happy life. He inspires me to try to be successful and I feel like my life will get better. 

My first post!

     Hello everybody! My name is Jack, I'm 13 years old and in a wheelchair. I have Cerebral Palsy and sometimes I really hate it! I want this blog to be a place where I can write down my thoughts or share a joke with all of you. I promise it will get more interesting!!!
     I have the coolest thing! It is called an Eco2 from PRC. It is a communication device and a computer and it uses eye gaze technology which means I can just look at letters or icons and it types for me! I can talk but I am sometimes hard to understand.
     For a while I've been thinking about how hard CP is. My parents have been always right there for me. One of the reasons my CP is hard is because I am not allowed to play on regular sports teams with my friends. So I help out with teams sometimes but it isn't the same. This year I played baseball on a challenger league team for kids with special needs. That was better than nothing but I would have rather been on a regular team with my friends. I want to find a basketball team. Maybe Derrick Rose could borrow my wheelchair while he recovers! I play sports with my friends sometimes but it's been a long time.
    So to sum up about me I am the biggest sports fan in the world (especially Chicago Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks). Having CP is hard but I still have to live through it. Every week I will plan on posting something. I hope it will help people just like me with CP realize they're not alone!
Later,
Jack