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Francis Evanich

In a ceremony held at 2 p.m. Thursday, December 7 at Prentke Romich Company (PRC) headquarters, Ida Sue School student Francis Evanich received a free PRC Vantage Plus. Francis experiences verbal disabilities resulting from autism.

Ida Sue School speech language pathologist Patti Dolges, recommended Francis as one of PRC's "40 for 40" program recipients. The Ida Sue School, which is governed by the Wayne County Board of MRDD, provides a wide range of academic, therapeutic, and social and vocational services to over 150 children and young adults with disabilities.

"I want candy" quickly became a favorite request when seven-year-old Francis first learned to operate the Vantage. She enjoyed using the device because she was able to ask for bubbles and M&Ms, and name her colors," Dolges said. "Her mother cried when she observed Francis forming her first phrases and sentences on the device, because the family was unable to buy it for her and they were turned down for Medicaid and private insurance funding."

Now, with the Vantage donated by PRC, "Francis will be able to ask for food and drink and let others know when she is in pain or is sick," Dolges said. "In the classroom, she can now participate fully with her classmates in any lesson, give the weather report, play games with her peers, and interact with others in a way that she never has before. This device will open up a whole new world for her."