Madison Haima is a happy, bright and energetic seven-year-old girl. She loves to play with My Little Ponies, read about the Bernstein Bears and play Hide 'n Seek with her four-year-old brother. Madison was also born with cerebral palsy. She is impacted most significantly in the areas of expressive language and fine motor capabilities. Due to her weak facial musculature her articulation is poor and therefore she is difficult to understand. Madison also has difficulty writing. Fortunately both of these areas are being addressed with her Vantage device.

It was recommended that Madison begin using an assistive technology device when she was five years old. The Vantage was the perfect device for her, something that would grow with her from short simple phrases to more complex thoughts and vocabulary as she matures. She quickly adapted to the Vantage moving from the Unity® Enhanced single hit to the Unity Enhanced full core within weeks of receiving the device.

When our insurance company denied our request for funding we were grateful to see the "40 for 40" program on the PRC website. That same day, Madison's Augmentative Communication Specialist at her elementary school called to ask me if we wanted to apply and, with her help, the application was submitted. We were thrilled to hear that she had been granted a device! Thank you PRC!

In the classroom, Madison's classmates enjoy hearing Madison do the calendar and weather report utilizing her Vantage. During writing time, Madison accesses the phonics page on her device to participate in writing as all first graders do, by sounding out words and writing them down. Her Vantage allows her to interact during whole group math activities by having the ability to share her answers and ask questions. She has books that were written specifically for her to read utilizing her Vantage, with titles like: "Madison's Christmas" and "My Chinese New Year's Parade." She loves to read these books and her friends enjoy listening. The Vantage not only provided the opportunity for Madison to communicate but she learned to read from watching the Vantage's on-screen display. What an awesome bonus!

Recently, when a new teacher was unsure of Madison's bus schedule, Madison used her Vantage to let her teacher know that she did indeed ride the bus home on Monday! The Vantage allows Madison to be a vital and contributing member in her classroom environment.

 It has truly changed her life and ours! Thank you PRC!

The Haima's