Signing Times

If you have spent any time at our house, you would know that Signing Time is a big hit in our home. Evelyn loves it. She would watch it all day if I let her. I do let her watch it a lot more than I have ever allowed any of my kids to watch TV because it is also educational and has been crucial in her development and her life.
Because of her trach, Evee is not able to vocalize sounds. Her trach, which brings air in and out of her windpipe, sits below her vocal chords. Our vocal chords work as air passes through them; therefore Evee has been mute (though the last couple of months she has been pushing air past her trach and vocal chords, causing her to make some vocal sounds).
Knowing that Evelyn couldn't talk, but that she could hear and was needing and wanting to communicate more, her speech therapist recommended Signing Times. When you have a special needs child, you are willing to spend money on anything you think may help. So, I purchased Signing Times and got started.
Best. Investment. Ever.
Because of Signing Times, we are able to communicate with our daughter. I have been able to learn some sign language quite easily and without a huge time commitment. Evelyn not only has been able to express her needs and wants, but has been able to progress her cognitive development through her signing communication.
When I saw that Rachel Coleman, the founder/creator/songwriter and host on Signing Times was going to be doing a concert just a couple of hours away, I made plans to attend this performance with Evee, Henry, Iralee, and Evee's nurse Carolyn.

The concert was amazing...or I should say that Rachel Coleman was amazing. The concert was in conjunction with a fundraising and awareness walk for Down-Syndrome so the audience was filled with many individuals with special needs and their families and friends.
When the concert started and Rachel came on stage, Evelyn had this confused look on her face. Here was this person she has been watching daily, and she was out of the TV!

It didn't take long for the shock to wear off and for Evee to start "dancing" and signing with the songs.

Rachel made the concert so personal and fun. Kids started wandering up to her and she didn't tell them to go back to their seats, instead she invited any kid that had the desire to come closer and even join her on the stage to sing and sign with her. We brought Evee and Iralee up to the steps and Evee was thrilled. Iralee even went on stage for a bit, following Rachel around. My girls were in heaven, and I was there too for I got to see their joy.

After the concert we were able to meet with Rachel and take a picture with her. Unfortunately Iralee refused to be in the picture, but Evelyn allowed Rachel to hold her.

 Not many people can say that their favorite celebrity not only took a picture with them, but held them up.

Thank you Rachel!