Today at 16 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 received physical therapy and occupational therapy from 1995-2008 which consists of treatments 2-3 times 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.

I have learned much about Cerebral Palsy over the years and understand what it is and its causes. I 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 intelligent. 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 outings for short distance such as appointments/activities. 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 smiled and held his head up high when he succeeded.

Taylor's been able to sit in a chair by himself for sometime since the age of 3 with good balance when eating at a table. Taylor was asked in a restaurant one day 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 used his walker often at school for only short distance. 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. Taylor understands his disability; however, he gets very frustrated and angry as he feels very alone due to not being accepted in our cruel world of ignorance. Taylor receives recognition for many of his accomplishments. With Taylor being at college level in reading and writing, Taylor now and then writes short stories, poems, monologues and musical/play scripts in his days. 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 his peers such as swimming with assistance, participating in holiday events, going to school, walking with his walker, playing computer games, board games, bowling and so much more including laughing and simply having fun and offering friendship. Even though Taylor has a disability, Taylor still lives a normal life to the fullest. He is different on the outside, but he sure is unique and one of a kind in the inside and me being Mom, I am and will always be so very proud of my 'TROOPER' and not afraid to let the world know that Taylor is a Special Gift Of Love. Forever and Always!

Taylor's future goals are at an endless rainbow and he is on his way to the road to SUCCESS. Taylor has in mind some career goals. He has pondered for sometime as to the Performing Arts Theatre (Musicals), Writer (Books, Screenplays), or Performing Arts Director. At this time, Taylor has sparked an interest in becoming a Rehabilitation Counselor. Mom is IMPRESSED here!

Taylor is quite the young man knocking over so many more hurdles along the way since of 2007 as Taylor broke through a wall that was blocking his way in becoming the stronger young man he is today. His strength and courage has excelled in such strength as he is able to stand up more against the wrongs in life. The freedom Taylor has been able to use as to his independence has given him his growing experience that was taken away from his father in not allowing him to be independent and to become the young man he is now since Taylor and I are now in a positive place in our lives. Taylor continually uses his walker on outings daily to appointments and short distance walking other than long distance. He bathes himself each and everyday independently with the aide of a bath chair lift. He independently walks to the bath, takes care of himself while running his own bath and grooms himself. When he wishes to eat a snack or have a drink upon his desires, he helps himself again with the use of his walker in getting bottled water or can soda and whatever snack he wishes. If he is overloaded, he puts items in his sack attached to his walker. There are times Taylor goes out of his way to surprise Mom with a drink due to his caring and considerate nature. Taylor transfers in and out of vehicles independently from his walker and or wheelchair. Assists putting away the groceries with walking the bags to the kitchen and as a team, we put the food away. Taylor has chores and responsibilities in changing his own bedding weekly, making his bed daily, keeping his bathroom trash bin clean, placing his daily used towels and laundry in the laundry room, refills the fridge with water and folds laundry. Oh, and we can not forget to list his routine of school responsibilities!

Without doubting Taylor's capabilities and with his greatest perseverance, Taylor would not be where he is today. Taylor is a step ahead, everyday, in reaching his goals in life.

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, knowledge, seeking help in negative, and abusive situations and nonstop doubting in what can be done, tried, and of a safer and positive haven, life can be a positive 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.