Tomorrow is the BIG DAY

[Jane]

Alot of you know Alex and have watched him grow-up at the tracks. Well, believe it or not, Mr. Alex will be 16 tomorrow and believe me, he has not let me forget that means he can get a drivers license and if he gets a job, a car and insurance. I promised him when he turned 16 he could get a job as long as he is doing good in school which he made all A's, B's, and 2 C's last report card.

So Mr. Alex, HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY. It seems like only yesterday you were in your wheel chair here and people were pushing you around. You have amazed many of us with what you can do inspite of your disabilities. You definitely can drive a race car and do anything you want to just your way.

Hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow.

Love always,
Mom

[OLD STYLE RACER 2]

For all the years that I have read what you wrote about Alex, I never knew he had disabilities. So from one parent with a daughter with Autism to another, BE PROUD of his accomplishments. Only next time do it with BOLD letters.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!!!!!!!..........Now it's time to get you KISSED!!!!LOL

[Jane]

Alex was born with arthrogryposis mutliplex congentia which is a form of club feet and hands except they go back after surgery and casts. He has spent his whole life in casts, braces, and 5 major surgeries to make his feet work and lie flat. He has no middle bone in his foot at all and his hands are still bent and will never move up or down even after surgery when he turns 18. But he learned to do most anything he wants, only his way. When he was born, his feet were on top of his legs and his hands were little crab claws and it took almost 3 years of constant therapy to get his shoulders to even move.
He learned to walk with FULL double leg casts almost to his hips.

But little has stopped him and although he does have problems with some things, he has done things they said he would never do. They said he would never run or jump but he can. He even played flag football one year. But he has been amazing and even his doctor has been amazed at the things he can do and does. According to his doctor, he is the ONLY patient he ever had that broke a steel plate inside his leg after only a week from the surgery. He had the broken plate in his leg, after they sawed it in half and realigned it, for almost two months. He was not suppose to walk at that time but you could not stop him and that helped break the plate.

He has been an amazing child for sure.

[carolwicks]

H~a~p~p~y~...b~i~r~t~h~d~a~y...a~l~e~x...!!!

wow! 16 already... im sorry i dont get to see you as often as before but i do think about you and hope you are doing well. You have a wonderful day Alex!!!!
luv u always...
carolwicks

[flvideo]

Jane, I didn't know Alex had disabilities either. We have a son who contracted Phenmonia when he was 3 years old. It burned his brain he is mildly to medium retarded. Well he is 45 now and has lived on his own, a group home, for about 15 years. He worked ful time as a dish washer till last year when he went on part time. He has started in the last few months paying his own bills and balancing his check book, both with supervision. We are so proud of what he has accomplished. When he lived at home we had to harp to get him to take out the garbage. The most important thing is he's proud of himself. I hope alex gets his car and his job. I know you'll be proud. Bob... PS: I forgot the most important thing " HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX"

[Cara]

Happy 16th Birthday Alex!!!!!

[Jane]

Mr. Alex said thanks for the birthday wishes. He is busy in the kitchen learning how to make mashed potatoes for his Thanksgiving dinner at school this morning. Little stinker stuck me with turkeys at his last dinner but I told him this time he better pick something cheaper for me to make so we are doing potatoes for 30 people. Not instant but REAL POTATOES.

I asked him this morning if he felt older yet and he said yes. Just hard to believe he is 16 today. And yes, he has been kissed but then again, they sure do start early these days on that kissing thing.

Anyway, thanks. You really helped make his day.