Today at 13 years old, Taylor has come a long way. He is doing well in coping day to day in living a content life with still the added hurdles along the way. Taylor has progressed in many steps over the years and continues to open news doors along the way. Taylor stands up to his name in being the "Trooper" he is and will always continue to be. Trooper Taylor!!!

Taylor recieved physical therapy and occupational therapy from 1995-2005 which consisted of treatments twice a week. Taylor is still behind in very little skills for his age group. These skills are some in the fine motor, gross motor, and daily living skills. With being behind Taylor 100% and with the outside support, he will, day by day, step by step, accomplish in what he is set out to do.

We have learned much about Cerebral Palsy over the years and understand what it is and it's causes. We wish that many others would take the time in learning what this condition really means. Yes, it is a condition, not a disease. No one can catch it and there is no known cure. There are many stages in conditions to CP. From mild to severe. Many also conclude that CP involves mental illness with us all in which it is not the case. Many Cerebral Palsy individuals are average to highly intellegent. In such little time, one can very much learn about the condition with much understanding.

I pretty much stay together on things when it comes to Taylor's progress. I have been told by many, that "Taylor will NOT," "He is NOT ready," "Wait till He is older" and so forth. For example, When Taylor was 3 yrs old, I was told that he was unable to do stairs and could barely crawl up one step.

Taylor was able to crawl up 14 steps. I was told that he was not able to use a special walker because his balance is poor, and that he had no proven walking skills and that Taylor, definitely, was not ready for a walker. He was told to wait.

I proceeded to take Taylor to see his doctor and requested a prescription for a Kaye walker which is in the picture below. The day the walker arrived, Taylor was so overjoyed. He could not wait till I put it together. He was so very excited. I started to cry because I was so happy for him. Away he went. Taylor walked with no problems, however, on the sloppy side, but he did do it. What a sight it was. The tears of joy to see the opposite of negative input. I was so proud to see that Taylor was given a chance to even try and prove that he has what it takes to proceed to reach his goals. There is hope in my eyes this day.

Taylor was using a bath support wrap in the bathtub for sometime. He was unable to sit up by himself and was told he would need to use it for sometime until he had better balance. Well, guess what? I did not place the bath support wrap in the bathtub. Taylor sat up straight and even pretended to be swimming at the age of 3. He has also been able to assist in washing his hair with great balance.

Taylor uses a wheelchair for long distance transport purposes for school, outings and after surgeries. He uses his walker at home, and some outings. Taylor is able to accomplish many things even though he can not walk on his own without the assistance of the walker. He is able to get in and out of his wheelchair on his own. Boy, it was a struggle for him to transfer from and into the wheelchair when he first started, but he always smiles and holds his head up high when he succeeds.

At the age of 3, Taylor has been able to undress himself and undo his diaper to prepare himself to get on the potty even though it took him some time to do it. But he did it, well, not as much as he should of as for it was so difficult to undress laying down and all the fuss just takes so long as to someone who can stand to pull down their pants and just walk to the toilet. Taylor tried real hard though. He was able to announce that he needed to use the potty at the age of 4 and has been out of diapers since March 98' and wore pull ups. As of April 25, 1998, he was in underpants! YEAH! He is also able to walk himself to the toilet with little assistance with the walker and pull down his bottoms and BINGO! HE CAN DO IT! I knew he could. I am working on his balance in standing. Taylor will balance to standing position and I will let him go and he is able to hold balance in standing position for a few seconds before he loses his balance because Taylor just laughs too much and then has fears in falling over.

Taylor has been able to sit in a chair by himself for sometime now since the age of 3 with good balance when he eats at a table. Taylor was asked in a restaurant oneday if he needed a booster chair and with such a proud and happy smile, he just answered, "No Thank You, I don't need it."

At the age of 6, Taylor was set back slightly in his walking due to the surgery of hip plates removed in Dec 1999. He was in need again in re-gaining the strength to his legs and balance. With all his given strength, he was able to get back on track and walk again with his walker.

Taylor is able to walk with his walker in stepping up sidewalk curbs. He is able to get in and out of a car by himself. He gets in and out of the wheelchair with no problems in transferring to his walker and/or sitting into chairs. Taylor at one point sat in the same desks in elementary school as all the other kids and in a regular chair too. No more special rifton chair. YEAH! He uses his walker often at school for only short distance and will increase the distance when his speed of walking gets better. Taylor walks a treadmill with the support of a harness at therapy and just loves it! He even walks the length of the room forward and backwards on his own with a harness on for support.

Taylor loves life, everyday, with his glowing smile and the warmth of his heart. My Trooper understands of his disability, however, he gets very frustrated and angry as he feels very alone as he does not have any outside acceptance in having friends because of his disability. He has so many opportunities for future success and continued happiness. Taylor receives recognition for many of his accomplishments. Taylor truly is gifted. He has such a love and passion for Performing Arts and Theatre and Broadway Musicals. His interest level in that area is truly inspiring with such intellect. Taylor is able to do many activities as well as anyone else such as swimming with assistance, participating in holiday events, going to school, PE, walking around with his walker, playing computer games, board games and so much more including laughing and simply having fun and being a friend. Even though he has a disability, Taylor still lives a normal life to the fullest and does just about anything. He is different on the outside, but he sure is unique and one of a kind in the inside and as his mom, I am and will always be so very proud of my little man and proud to let the world know that Taylor is a Special Gift Of Love. Forever and Always!

Taylor's future goals are at the end of an endless rainbow and he is on his way to the road to SUCCESS. Not only will he walk on his own without the use of equipment, he has already set aside his goals in choosing a profession. Giggle ... Giggle! He tells us that he wants to become a Computer Programmer, Broadway Performer, Play Writer, or Director. I seriously think he would be a great Attorney as he puts up a good fight and he sure can win a debate!! Giggle ... Giggle!

Without doubting Taylor's capabilities and with his greatest perseverence, Taylor would not be where he is today. Taylor is a step ahead, everyday, in reaching his goals in life. With the miracles and hopes in life, that he may be able to walk some day on his own. This is Taylor's goal! Our goal!

I have demonstrated and proven, that all can be overlooked in the greatest of positive outlook for your child or any individual. Anyone can set goals in life and make progress without the acceptance to negativity. With a lot of research and knowledge in situations and nonstop doubting in what can be done or even tried, a life can be a positive happy outcome.

Please, never completely accept negative information, negative responses or a negative diagnosis. I proved it over the years. Professionals are not always right or don't always steer you in the right direction. We can not always accept what is on the outer surface because of the inner strength we have.