DeeDee's Diary

Traveling this week with Hannah was reminiscent of our earlier days with Robin...funny how everyone in Cincinnati kept calling Hannah - Robin. I even caught myself doing it. Guess it seemed so natural...Jason, Sara and Robin...just the three of us. Hannah didn't seem to mind.

We had a nice visit with family. I was especially proud of Hannah and the way she communicated with Alex. Alex is my niece...my brother, Mark's daughter. She is 6 months younger than Hannah. She was born blind, she is hearing impaired and has CP. Alex has the most amazing women in her life, Courtney, Dar and Chris. They help Mark and Julie with Alex during the week. Julie has a chart on the refrigerator with all that should be accomplished in a day in the life of Alex. It is a comprehensive list including exercises to strengthen and tone muscles. Alex must be fed, lifted, changed, bathed. She must be assisted for all activities of daily living. Mark and Julie's home is equipped with an elevator, a lift, a large swing and anytime you are there you notice all of the evidence that someone very special lives there. Hannah recorded her voice for Alex, she sat on the floor and talked with her....she encouraged her to touch and hold toys that stimulate by touch. Over the past 11 years, I have tried to choose gifts that would smell, make noise, wiggle, have texture...concentrating on the other senses...and Hannah understood this. She held Alex's hands and pulled the wheelchair around the kitchen and said, " Let's dance, Alex." She swam with Alex and learned to blow bubbles under water. She massaged Alex and loved her. She was sensitive to all of Alex's special needs. I am so proud of Hannah and thankful for the time we shared in Cincinnati.

We had an uneventful flight home, even got to sit together. I am so thankful for Delta Air Lines.