I hear that you are very active in the community-what sorts of groups do you work with? I am a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Chatham Fire Association

Could you tell us a little about your involvement with CORD?
I am on the Board of Directors, and I have to make decisions about funding, rules, and policies for the organization.

What was school like for you?
I did not go to a traditional school instead I was home-schooled for about a year. I mostly learned on my own.

Did you feel that the curriculum was made to suit your abilities and skills as a student? What, if anything, bothered or frustrated you about school? I was frustrated that I could not go to a regular school, but my curriculum at home was suited for me.

How effective do you think that our school systems are for helping challenged teens learn the skills they'll need for work and for life?
I believe that they are very good right now.
What would you change about the school systems?
I would give people like me a better chance to go back to school when they are older.

What was the transition from school to the "real world" like?
It was very hard at first because I did not have the schooling that would be appropriate, but all in all, it was rewarding because I did it on my own.
Who, if anyone, was your role model growing up?
My dad was my role model because he would make me happy and help me at work. He was a good person. He taught me how to live independently.

What does the word "tolerance" mean to you?
The word “tolerance,” to me, means:
“Don’t give up.”

You are well known around this area for riding your golf cart around as
a means of transportation. This is your "own" way of doing something by
utilizing your skills. Growing up with a challenge, how did you learn to do
things your own way in order to be efficient?

I used my brain.

Your golf cart proves that you can be "independent". Is this sense of independence important to you? How?
Yes, this is important to me because I can go wherever I want, when I want.

Do you feel that teens living with challenges today have an advantage
or disadvantage to when you were a teen?
I feel that they have more of an advantage than I did because they get a better chance at an education.

Do you think that technology has played an important role in helping people with challenges? How?

Yes, because they can communicate better using computers and speech-boards.

How do you use technology to help you in your everyday life?

I use the computer for work and to talk to people over the Internet.

How would you compare medical technology and knowledge to how it was when you were younger? Do you think that it’s for the best?
Yes.  They have come a long way and its only going to get better.

What advice do you have for teens living with challenges today?
Don’t give up.  Do the best that you can do because there is a lot out there.  You just have to go get it.

What is the most important thing that you have learned?
I am important.  I can do what ever I want.  I just have to figure out how to do it.

Thank you Keith for your time, effort and support. To show our gratitude we like to give you our online Web-friends Award. The vase with flowers is made by Mohemed, a student of Kavor, the Hospital School in Israel.
Good luck with your work, many greetings from Greet.
(webcoach of Macadam in the Netherlands & Bearable Times: The Kids Hospital Network in America)