Last summer I ran across a post of Facebook about a project called the Penguin Project. They were in association with a theater group called the New Tampa Players. I put their informational meeting on my calendar and I am so glad I did! It was the start of a unique and wonderful opportunity for Jeremiah...one we never would have dreamed he would have.

Similar to Buddy Baseball, the Penguin Project is theater for special needs kids where a peer mentor (buddy) comes alongside each actor or actress and helps them memorize lines, learn choreography, and play their role in the show.

New to Tampa, last year's first show was Aladdin Jr. This year was Peter Pan Jr. and we decided to give it a try. Jeremiah needed the socialization and it was something to stretch him outside of his comfort zone. And boy did it ever do that! The first month or so of rehearsals, he would stand, hands folded in front of him, head down...God forbid he make eye contact with anyone. And forget talking to people! He looked so very uncomfortable! We really thought he would refuse to go after just a few weeks. But he didn't. And little by little, one week at a time, he began to come out of his bubble. It wasn't long before he was walking into rehearsal and other kids and mentors were walking up to him and high-fiving him or yelling across the room, "Hey Jerry!" 

While the rehearsals grew more frequent and longer in duration, he never fought us about going and really enjoyed himself while he was there. He got the role of Rupert, one of Hook's pirate band members. His job was to play his instrument and toe-tap to the tunes whenever Hook felt a musical number was called for.

His mentor Zachary was awesome. He encouraged Jeremiah, didn't get upset with how often he had to repeat instructions or re-direct him, and even made sure he handled all of the changing into costume routine backstage before every dress rehearsal and show. Speaking of which, they had a whole room of tables with puzzles, crafts, and games set up behind stage for the kids in between scenes. They even had pillows on the floor for the kids who were tired and just needed a break. We were truly amazed at how much thought went into every aspect of pulling off a show of this kind with these kids. 

The show was this past weekend and we could not have been more proud of him. He survived tech week with dress rehearsal five days in a row, some nights going until 9:30 or after and then had three days of shows. We let him sleep in every day before taking him to school and kept him home Friday so he could rest up before opening night. 

He did amazing! He looked out at the audience, he smiled, he moved (not always to the beat, but he comes by his inability to dance naturally), and he sang and played his air guitar better than we ever anticipated he would once he saw the crowds. And he totally ate up the attention from all of his friends, family, and therapists who came to cheer him on!

So excited for this opportunity for him and we already can't wait until next year's production of Mary Poppins Jr.! By the way, did I mention that this program is at NO COST to the parents of the special needs kids? YES!

Jerry had a first this past weekend, and if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you likely saw all the pictures and heard about our proud moment...attending his first social event with his peers.

His school, the Impact Academy (which recently won Best of Tampa Bay 2017), hosted a dance, Hollywood theme style. And they went all out for the kids, from a red carpet and paparazzi taking pictures and making them feel like stars as they entered to a DJ, and top notch decorations and snacks.
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Jerry wanted to go the first day he brought the flyer home from school. Better yet, he wanted his sister Michaela to go with him as his "date." And of course, she said yes. Here they are decked out for their big night.
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And they had a BLAST! We dropped them off at 7 pm, never thinking Jerry would make it until the end at 10. Mick was told to text us when he said he was ready and we walked around Ybor City where the dance was waiting for that text. It never came. We went to dinner, walked around some more, stopped for dessert. The only texts from Micky were ones of how much fun her and Jerry were having.

Finally, we returned to the dance about 20 minutes before it was scheduled to end. And he was still going strong! Mick got video of him singing and dancing his little heart out. By the time the night ended, he was sweating up a storm and exhausted. He literally fell into bed when we got him home.

I am not sure what melted my heart more...the fact that he took this monumental step in his development or his sister's huge heart to give up her Friday night to go with him...and happily! I am not sure which of them was honetly more excited! She has always been compassionate towards Jerry and others with special needs, as seen in her 11+ years as a buddy in Buddy Baseball, but this was different.

It has been a long few years with Jerry, behaviorally speaking. And his sister has been the recipient of much verbal and physical aggression from him. She's shouldered her share of the bruises...literally...that's for sure. Still, she loves him unconditionally, has grown in patience and selflessness through serving him, and is Jerry's favorite babysitter. She is also the only one of his siblings who will jump to our rescue and aid in cleaning up midnight vomits, changing wet sheets, and now bathing him and changing his G-tube gauze. Love that girl. God has big plans for that heart of hers.

Anyway, stay tuned for more updates and lists of firsts for Jerry as he continues to grow and mature and reap the benefits of his new medicine (medical marijuana) and diet (SCD).

Saturday was Jerry's Applebee's fundraiser event for the Impact Academy's school trip for the older kids at the end of this school year. We sold tickets to friends and Jerry was asked to volunteer.

We had to be there by 7:30 am...on a Saturday...which made for a bit of a rocky start to our weekend. No matter how much I prepped him and talked to him about how early I would be waking him, he still grumbled quite a bit when 6:45 arrived and he had to pry those eyelids open, even after having gone to bed at 8 the night before. It's the teenager in him.

Once he was awake and moving though, he had a great attitude. He stood in the Applebee's parking lot for the first thirty minutes watching his friends and their families pull in to park and then we went in to begin working.

He greeted people, seated them and gave them their utensils, took drink orders, delivered food and drinks, and then carried dirty dishes back to the kitchen and sorted them into the sink. He did great and had an attitude to match. The only thing we have to work on is working more independently and eye contact. But other than that, he worked hard...until about 8:30 when he said, "Mom, I'm tired of giving people pancakes. Can I eat some now?" He hadn't eaten any breakfast before we left and so he was now hungry...borderline "hangry." Thankfully, John and the other kids arrived shortly after and he sat with them to eat before getting back to work.

The kids who volunteered split the tips and Jerry got a pep talk by the nicest general manager ever, Brian. He  told Jerry that, when he is old enough, he can come back and work in his restaurant anytime. It was nice to see a glimpse of productive Jerry, contributing as best he can and feeling proud of himself for doing so. In the end, he really enjoyed his time at Applebee's and can't wait to do it again. Great opportunity!