Noah & Gina by cdonohoue

Noah & Gina

No great picture but it represents a great day so this is the one. Andy picked me up today and we drove to a very special school to see Noah, the nine year old that has recently won my heart, get his end of the school year awards. And it is a very special school. They bus from all over our county a select few that need very specialized attention. Noah has Asperger's Syndrome - on the Autism spectrum of disease. He is very bright and loving and has no boundaries. He is in a class of six children with a teacher and two aids. He is doing well and just received his certificate for the A/B Honor Roll and had to find his Mom for a kiss!

Now that alone made this a very special day. But I haven't reached the end. We were sitting at a picnic table having a burger when this guy walks up to my son and tells him he is in big trouble! We turned around and there was Andy's best friend from childhood who had moved when he was about 12. Little Mikey is now a teacher at Noah's school!! And what an inspiration he is to his students. Mikey lost both legs several years ago to malignant hypothermia from an anesthetic administered when he was a child. Now he is a teacher for 6th, 7th & 8th grade core studies.
What a day!
Great photo and what a LOVELY story to go with it! It's so special when we find friends from the past in places that are significant for us all!
May 25th, 2012  
What an amazing story with incredible people in it! love this candid capture too,
May 25th, 2012  
Wonderful portrait shot! That child is absolutely beautiful, look at the glow in his eyes and the wonderful smile. I just love seeing happy children.
May 25th, 2012  
What a great day! Noah has such beautiful eyelashes and a big smile! Congratulations on the A/B Honor Roll, Noah!
May 25th, 2012  
Love the joy in this shot! Wonderful catch you should frame it!
May 25th, 2012  
Great shot. And what a wonderful story--the kind that truly warms your heart. Thank you for sharing it.
May 25th, 2012  
Thank you for the follow Cathy...this is a heart warming photo !!
May 25th, 2012  
Beautiful smile on this lad! Thanks for sharing this day with us!
May 25th, 2012  
I think it is a great photo standing alone, without the explanation, which makes it all the more so- nice to see a young man's face so lit up with pure joy of the moment!
May 25th, 2012  
What a lovely and touching story with a wonderful portrait to go with it! Great job, Cathy! You tell it so well, too!
May 25th, 2012  
Great capture of emotions! Beautiful shot and story!
May 25th, 2012  
@sarah19 Thank you Sarah. I am still sort of reeling.
@jesperani Thanks Jennifer. They are very special to me.
@grannysue Thanks Linda. He had just gotten his honor roll award and that is very special to this young man. We each got a kiss.
@kchuk Thanks Elyse. I'll pass that along.
@filsie65 I'm going to frame it. Such a special day.
@yonnie Thanks for reading it Yvonne. I am just busting right now.
@happypat Thank you Pat.
@maggiemae Thanks for reading Maggie. It is a special day.
@dauber Thanks so much. This is a real journal for me, my first, so I need to tell the story behind the joy.
@marlboromaam Thanks Maggie. My son the writer would probably differ with you there. But I am still so excited.
May 25th, 2012  
Firstly it's a great photo... That smile is contagious. A beautiful story Cathy.
May 25th, 2012  
@sugarmuser Thanks Sharon. He really is a beautiful boy - guess I should say handsome but he is still child enough to say beautiful.
May 25th, 2012  
What a great picture and moving story! So touching. I'm glad you got to share in that special day.
May 25th, 2012  
@cindymc I has been quite a day. Still sort of unbelievable to find that young man after all these years doing such meaningful work.
May 26th, 2012  
oh my word...EVERYTHING about you and your family is incredible.. .what a story!
May 26th, 2012  
@shepardx2 Margo not incredible but happy. I'm so proud of my son right now. This relationship better work or I am going to be heartbroken. I really love Gina and Noah is so special. I have a lot to learn about Asperger's. But I will. I think Andy and I are going to volunteer next school year.
May 26th, 2012  
@cdonohoue nice... I worked w/autistic children for 11 years.. they are so very special... got a guy for me?
May 26th, 2012  
I agree with the others. It's a lovely photo. You can just see the joy in his face. Lovely story too!
May 26th, 2012  
It's a lovely shot.
May 26th, 2012  
What a lovely portrait shot. He is so very handsome and joyful.
May 26th, 2012  
@shepardx2 Let me think Margo - you'd have to move south. I need your tips about the kids.
@terryvet92 Thanks Terry. He was over the moon.
@peadar Thank you Peter.
@sangwann Thank you Dione. He is such a sweet little boy with such big problems in his young life.
May 26th, 2012  
Sounds like it was fantastic with the odd surprise thrown in.
May 26th, 2012  
@tesssa Thank you. It was.
@shepardx2 I'll think on the guy part - I am out of sons - if you'll help build my understanding of Noah's problems
May 26th, 2012  
Awesome capture of an even more awesome story.
May 26th, 2012  
Pam
What a lovely story! Love how you captured his smile!
May 26th, 2012  
Lyn
Cathy, I am amazed at the history you have to share - always so moving and beautiful. We ware so lucky to "know" you!
May 26th, 2012  
WOnderful emotion shot these can be so much more moving than perfectly 'constructed' shots
May 26th, 2012  
I love the pure joy and happiness that you captured in his face. What a priceless gift it is for him to be doing so well and to have people in his life to love him and help him be successful.
May 26th, 2012  
What a really touching moment. Love this photo!
May 27th, 2012  
one of the girls who works for me has a son who has Aspergers. His name is Andy and he is going into 6th grade next year. He is as smart as a whip, but struggles with simple things, like putting his shirt on the right way. Autism is a horrible thing.
your photos are speaking to me today Cathy.......this is a wonderful portrait. Noah has such a sweet little face. i wish him well.
May 27th, 2012  
a touching story and picture!
May 28th, 2012  
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