Comments on: What makes me smile

By: marthamcphee

marthamcphee — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:26:49 +0000

Thank you for reaching out. It means so much. He was incredible. Was — the past tense will always sit so uncomfortably. I’m glad you knew him. Martha

By: Amy Rosenstadt

Amy Rosenstadt — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:05:27 +0000

I went to high school with Charles, in Bethesda, MD- He was a lovely man in so many ways; The loss of him is great- Amy

By: marthamcphee

marthamcphee — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:13:40 +0000

Can you send to me and I’ll forward? Thanks.

By: Joy

Joy — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:04:12 +0000

Is it possible to correspond with Charles by email? I would love to send him a note.

Thank you,
Joy in GA

By: Debbie Stier

Debbie Stier — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:31:40 +0000

Martha….I just re-read this post and it is so moving and inspiring — what a great way to start the day. Your cousin sounds amazing.

I’m working with an author right now who’s 23 years old and was born without legs. The book is called Double Take. He uses a skateboard…..not a wheelchair. He’s a master skiier and climber and athlete…..and does not feel sorry for himself at all. In fact, he’s got a great sense of humor. He made this video the other day for his book: http://kevinmichaelconnolly.tumblr.com/post/206748485/just-released-the-trailer-for-my-upcoming-book

When I feel down and cranky, I’m going to go back and read this post again. Thanks for sharing his story.

By: Ama

Ama — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:33:58 +0000

This is incredible. It is amazing how our clunky and complex world of technology can do something as delicate and magical as unlocking the soul. I just interviewed this opera singer turned public school teacher in Oakland who works with technology to help students with severe physical disabilities to communicate. This approach is called Augmentative Learning. These amazing computers are giving voice to her students who have a lot to say. Here’s how she describes her work:

“Kids come into my classroom and they have habituated being voiceless. They have had very little communicative success. Once you begin to unlayer the communication within them, it’s wonderful to see the little personalities blossom inside of them. You get a kid that’s devoid of response, with a little bit of time, they develop a sense of humor and an impishness. The kids have this amazing level of thinking and creativity that is trapped in their own bodies and unrecognized and untapped. My job is great. I get to tap into the essence of that child and help them find their voice.” — Mrs. Stephanie Taymuree, Oakland CA

She says her job is to unlock children from their own bodies. It sounds spiritual. I have always thought of technology as antithetical to the spirit, but in fact they have so much in common. They both enable us to transcend and connect.