Bubba

     Bubba is the most special person in my life.  He is my brother.  My brother has Trisomy 13.  That means he has an extra chromosome.  A chromosome is what makes you have the color of eyes you have and what color your hair is.  My brother’s extra chromosome is what makes him handicapped.  My brother is in a wheelchair because he is handicapped and he can’t hear or see very well.  This makes my brother extra hard to take care of, but that’s okay because our whole family including my dog Sandi helps to take care of him.  A lot of people feel bad for my brother but they don’t need to.  He’s just like a normal teenager because he laughs, feeds himself, wheels his own wheelchair and sleeps in a bed but with a short railing.  What’s unique about my brother is that he is almost always happy.  What sometimes makes my brother happy is light and shiny things.  He is also nice to me all the time and that makes me feel special.  The weekends and house are extra special because my brother goes to an overnight school during the week.  We are always glad to see him on the weekends.

     Another thing that makes me feel special is when people who I don’t even know come up to me and say hi to him.  It shows that my brother is very touching.

     A lot of people get to know my brother through my dog Sandi.  When they see her they come over to my brother and ask if they can pet my dog but because my brother can’t talk, I have to answer for him.  Then they start asking questions about him and that is how they get to know him.

      One day when I was crying because my friend was yelling at me when I felt a tug on my head.  I lifted my head up and I saw my brother smiling.  He was about to give me a hug!  When he did I felt very happy.  Now whenever I am sad I always remember that moment and it makes me happy.

     My brother has a special dog that helps him with his work.  Her name is Sandi and she is a golden retriever.  She knows 47 commands, one of which I taught her.  I taught her a command called be cute.  My brother really gets a lot of help from that dog.  When my brother is not feeling well, Sandi jumps up on his lap and licks his face.  You can tell they both love each other.

     It’s really special to see my brother do a lot of things normal.  He has learned a lot at his new school and I think he is making new friends there too.

     My brother has taught me to be kind and patient and because of him I have also become a stronger Christian.  My brother is so special to me and I am very lucky to have him in my life.

A Silent Optimistic Man

A boy in a wheelchair smiled at me
He cannot speak
He cannot see,
Now what on earth could he be thinking?
This silent optimistic man.

A silent optimistic man,
A dauntless warrior who cannot stand
A deaf mystic who hears the truth
A blind traveler who sees the way
This silent optimistic man

They said he'd never live past one
And at 18 he's still not done
They said he'd never see a face
How can he know now who I am?
This silent optimistic man.

A silent optimistic man,
A dauntless warrior who cannot stand
A deaf mystic who hears the truth
A blind traveler who sees the way
This silent optimistic man

And now he sleeps in peace and rest
A life of example left for best
As he sends from above
His silent optimistic love

A silent optimistic man,
A dauntless warrior who cannot stand
A deaf mystic who hears the truth
A blind traveler who sees the way
This silent optimistic man

Bobby Becker – 1/23/2009

YES

Have you ever looked up on a moonless night

And watched a shooting star light up the night sky

Forever making its’ mark on the universe

Then you have seen Aaron.

Have you ever cared for a withering plant

And with great care and patience nursed it back to health

Then watched as it bloomed in brilliance

Then you have cared for Aaron

Have you ever looked deep into the eyes of another being

And felt so intensely the soul of that being

That it changed you forever

Then you have felt Aaron

Have you ever experienced the power of the powerless

Witnessed the weak things of this world confound the mighty

Known the paradox of life’s severe mercies

Then you have known our Aaron

by Steve Barg

Qualifications:

• Honest -- Has never told a lie in his life
• Charismatic -- Is warm and welcoming to all he meets
  
• Non-judgmental -- Aaron will listen to all peoples perspective.

Platform:

• Bubba believes in open space, especially if he can freely wheel around and enjoy the beauty.
• Bubba's extensive knowledge and experience with the Healthcare system will be a huge asset as he works to develop a system that will be fair to all. He believes that Insurance executives should be required to wear diapers for a day or two. After that, maybe they'll realize that for some, they are a medical necessity and no sane individual would wear them at 18 unless they had to!
• Supports no child left behind, but thinks test scores are an overrated and simplistic barometer of knowledge.