We have a UCLA Graduate!!!!

The Graduate, Katie.

This morning we graduated!!!

What a wonderful morning it was!!! Grandma and Grandpa Cook met us at the house (they are my mom and dad) and we all caravan'ed to UCLA together in two cars.

Bea, Mark, Grandma Cook, Grandpa Cook (Mom was taking the photos).

We were met by a team of smiling, congratulatory doctors and therapists, and I gave them our last home report... a good one of course.... and several trays of muffins for the graduation party after the ceremony. One of the ABC Clinic workers has a secret connection with someone in the cafeteria, and they were able to get a big bowl of melon chunks and juices sent up for the party as well. We had to wait for Dr. Jessica (the psychologist) to arrive (she got stuck in traffic, and we couldn't go on without her) and then the ceremony began.

The red carpet was rolled out, and Katie walked down it with an expression of determination and sobriety. She was SO proud of her accomplishment... and for good reason. She has applied herself 100 percent, and the payoff has been great.

At the end of the carpet she received her 'diploma' scroll from both the psychologists that she worked with, and then was escorted to the "The Future is Yours" poster and had her picture taken in front of it.

Then she got to sign the underside of the red carpet (that made me cry... seeing Katie's signature among HUNDREDS of other kid's signatures and dates of graduation).

After that, she was given her graduation gifts from the staff.... a plush puppy (that looks like "Tink" our new dog), two reading books of Katie's choice, and a singing/speaking Diva Barbie. Katie was beside herself with joy and excitement... and her face beamed SO brightly. It absolutely melted my heart.

Grandma Cook wrote Katie a poem about her graduation and how hard she had worked (and slipped some money in it for two months subscription to Toontown (an online computer game):

Congratulations Katie

This is the day we have waited for.

A day that we celebrate

all your hard work and accomplishments.

The work that you did is "FIRST RATE".

In this card is a gift for you

2 months of Toontown you'll get.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful game

Do we love our Katie..?? YOU BET!!

So remember all the things you've learned

that we knew you could do from the start

Your grandma... and your grandpa too

think you're SPECIAL and dear to our heart.

Love,

Grandma and Grandpa Cook

Everyone then ajourned to eat and party for about 1/2 hour... I got a lot of pictures of each doctor and therapist... and there were a lot of teary goodbyes. These folks... knowingly or unknowingly at the hand of God, were our miracle workers. And unbeknownst to them, were ministered to and told the gospel to from a 9 year old little red-head. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Miss Melody, Katie's First Psychologist

Miss. Jessica, Katie's Second Psychologist

Miss Barbara, Parental Counselor, Nurse

Miss. Pat, Educational Therapist and Educator

Miss Wendy, Social Worker

Mr. Paul, Recreational Therapist (Katie's Favorite)

Miss, Joanna, Mr. Paul's Assistant

Mr. Lyle, Social Therapist

Our time at UCLA reminds me of when Paul the apostle was thrown in jail... he didn't want to be in there, but because God planned him to be there, a guard and his entire HOUSEHOLD were saved. We will never know the total effect of all the "Jesus and His love for us" talk that we and Katie did during these past two months at UCLA... but I believe we were right where God wanted us... and both side benefited by our being there.

The staff all mentioned that we had been the "Ideal" family, and Katie's progress was an anomaly... because although all the kids show some advancement by the time they leave, Katie made unusual progress... so rare... and the were all amazed and extremely pleased with her outcome... and ours as well. I told them all... "Well, we have a big God on our side". I can say without a doubt, it was most certainly because of all YOUR prayers. He hears you when you pray.

Katie stayed at the clinic and worked with her therapist for a few hours before coming home early at 1:30 pm.

Tonight we need to keep Katie awake as long as we can... she has her sleep deprived EEG test tomorrow morning at 8:30. I am going to hold her Clonadine medicine tonight in hopes that it will allow her hyperactivity to help stimulate her and keep her awake.

Keep those prayers coming.

Chow 4 now.
Susan