You can tell many things from a child's eyes

Love Isn't Blind: The Story of Tacey Raulerson

Disney Vacation

We are still at Disney World! It is a "fabulous vacation" as Tacey says! Tacey has brought tears to lots of stranger's and new friend's eyes as they watch her laughing and having such a wonderful time. She has had so much fun and has kept us all laughing and smiling.

We started with exploring our resort as soon as we got here. Our balcony looks down into part of Animal Kingdom. We get to watch zebras, giraffes, antelope, etc. romp, play, eat and sleep. One of the poor zebras is constantly being chased by one of the antelope. You would think the zebra would try to lose itself in the crowd. However, it just keeps running in circles. We heard a little boy yell from his balcony, "Go, zebra, go!"

Tacey best described how she is being treated here with one word: PAMPERED! Everyone has treated her like royalty. In fact, they fix her a special breakfast every morning. The rest of us get to choose from the continental breakfast assortment. Don't feel sorry for us. It is a pretty incredible spread!

Part of exploring the resort included Tacey checking out the swimming pool with the water slide. She amazed others around the pool as the realization that she is blind suddenly came to each one. They stared in amazement as she swam, went down the twisting slide and jumped in from the sides. They couldn't believe she stayed on course just be listening to our voices. Several of them made comments to us about how incredible she was!

The first full day in Disney World we went to Epcot. We saw most of the princesses and some other characters. Tacey was so excited because each of the princesses did a great job of commenting about remembering her, etc. She was hooked! I didn't find Prince Charming that day, but I knew I had more days ahead. Yes, I know I already have a Prince Charming at home! Actually, he is right beside me! We had lots of fun riding the attractions and exploring different countries and the future. Tacey's favorite attraction was the mission to Mars. At first, she wasn't sure what to expect but once it got going she was having a blast! (No pun intended!) Of course when we got back to the resort, Tacey had to go swimming!

The second day we spent in the Magic Kingdom. Again, we looked for characters along the way. We saw lots of fun ones! (I was still looking for Prince Charming.) We rode some of the attractions, but knew we would return the next day so we concentrated on half of the park. Tacey's favorite attraction was Peter Pan's ride. This was her favorite when we came 2 1/2 years ago. She has been talking about it for weeks. I am glad it didn't disappoint her!

We returned to the resort in time to go to Downtown Disney for dinner and we thought shopping. We had an excellent dinner. The shopping, however, didn't happen! We entered the first store and encountered such a chaotic mob of people that we decided we really didn't need to shop! We were glad to return to the quiet of our resort.

We got up super early this morning, because we had a special appointment. We had breakfast with Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother and several other princesses in the Castle!!! Tacey loved it! She was slightly disappointed because two of the princesses didn't remember her. I am sure that disappointment will fade in a few days. We rode the rest of the attractions that we hadn't gotten to yesterday. Tacey wanted to ride the Haunted Mansion over and over!! She knows this is the ride I disliked the most as a kid. I would cry and cry. My brother, Terry, loved it the best. He would ask to ride it again and again. Part of me wonders if he really liked it that much or if he just wanted to torment his little sister!! Tacey likes that I carry on and pretend that it still scares me.

Tomorrow we are headed to Animal Kingdom. Tacey is looking forward to making Mimi touch a snake again. That is what she did the last time we were here. Mimi does NOT like snakes! After Animal Kingdom, we are headed to see our magician friend, Erick, and meet his family. He is performing his magic show at Wonder Works. Tacey is very excited to see him!

Tuesday we head to the airport to fly back to reality. I don't think any of us are looking forward to that. We miss our family and friends back home, but we really like being pampered and treated like royalty here in Fantasyland!! Until we return, here are a couple of pictures. Don't worry, I have lots more! At last count, I think I had taken about 700 pictures so far!!!!! :-)

Latest Events of Tacey

It has been a busy past few weeks. This week-end was especially busy.

The Construction Science department at Texas A&M started construction on Tacey's clubhouse. Michael and I had been discussing for a long time trying to build some sort of playhouse for Tacey to have a safe place to play outside. It is not safe for her to be in the direct sun for very long. She also needs some boundaries at times.

Michael and I don't have a lot of construction skills, actually NONE! We asked if some students at A&M would like to help us design a playhouse. Before we knew what was happening, a gentleman in Houston supplied all the materials, the students were designing and construction began! The gentleman in Houston is the father of a 15 year old boy who is a 2-time cancer survivor. His whole family jumped at the chance to help another cancer fighter. In fact, we got the opportunity to meet the gentleman, son and extended family members this week-end.

Michael thinks the new clubhouse, as Tacey has designated it, will make a great doghouse for him when he is in trouble. Tacey wants to move out there to live! She has also already scheduled several different club meetings with all of her friends. The part I loved best was that the students were constantly thinking, having to modify, undo, redo, adjust, etc. The problem solving was so great. As an educator, I was thrilled to see the learning that was happening for them. That is the best kind of learning! They are going to work on it some this week and then finish this week-end. The department head of Construction Science has been here for the whole project. He deserves a big pat on the back, too! It constantly amazes us that we ask for help with plans and so much more comes to us. How do we ever thank everyone who has been so generous to our family???? Another great thing that has emerged from this project is that the group has started a fund so this type of project can be done for a special child each semester!

As if we didn't have enough excitement in our lives, we are headed on vacation in TWO days! Tacey is being treated with a special trip to Disney World in honor of her valiant fight against cancer. We are approaching the 7th anniversary of her diagnosis. We cannot believe it has been seven years! At times it seems like it has been so much longer and at times it seems like it has been such a short time.

When Tacey was 5, we went to Disney World with the Make-a-Wish foundation. I think that is why Tacey chose Disney World. It comes down to comfort. She will be able to visualize all that we are experiencing based on her previous experience. In some ways, she will be re-living the other trip. I think that means a lot to her. Of course, I am thrilled to escape to Fantasyland for a few days!! In fact, I think I am going to like it so much that I may never want to return to Reality!!

Be watching for photos from our vacation and the finished clubhouse.

Love to all of you! Thank you so much for your prayers!!!!!

Tacey and Aggie Tennis

This past week-end was A&M Parents' Week-end. We had lots of activities! God's sense of humor surfaced in the form of a cold-front. It is difficult to enjoy outdoor activities when it is cold and the wind is blowing you sideways!

On Saturday, Tacey was a special guest of the Women's Tennis team. They invited her into the locker room and presented her with a team jersey with her name on it. She was thrilled! We took lots of pictures, as usual. Tacey and I stayed for all of the doubles matches, but left before the single matches. It was just a little TOO windy and cold for us.

Tacey is on a field trip today and tomorrow because of the TAKS test in the upper grades. She heard us talking about taxes and thought the TAKS test and taxes were the same thing. I laughed as I told her that lots of teachers probably thought they were very similar!

Tacey is still doing extremely well in school. She is reading her Braille books every night. She is so proud of herself. It is so awarding to see how much she has progressed and how well she is doing in school!

Update

It always amazes me that if I don't send out updates every few days or so I get inundated with concerned emails. Everyone gets worried that something is wrong with Tacey. I am so sorry to cause that worry!

Everything here is great. We have been super busy. This is my busiest time of the semester. Before Tacey returned to school in March, I was unable to keep up with the grading, etc. for my courses. That means I have been working super hard since she went back to school to get caught up with my work and to get my house back in order. I don't know if there is ANY hope for my house! It seems that as soon as I get one area back under control Tacey comes along and undoes it all. She is very intent on exploring everything right now. That means she is constantly emptying drawers, toys, closets, etc so she can more easily explore everything. I understand this compulsion, but it does get tiring always picking everything up over and over!

Family and friends often comment that we must get tired staying as busy as we do. At times, that can be true. Most of the time, however, we draw energy from staying so busy and letting Tacey be involved in so many things. She feeds off the energy of others and being in crowds. Of course, she LOVES the spotlight and attention.

Tacey is so THRILLED to be back in school. She jumps out of bed in the mornings eager to face the day. If she must miss school for doctors appointments, etc., she gets very upset. She doesn't want to miss school for any reason! Her teachers have been very pleased with how well she is doing in school. She does everything the other students do, only orally or in Braille. She is learning her Braille quickly even though she still sees herself as a visual person. She even pretends to read magazines, etc. I have to choke back my chuckles when I see her holding the books upside down. I don't dare tell her!

Tacey is already making plans for the summer! She is looking forward to swimming every day. That is one of her passions. She really wants to be on the swim team. We are also planning lots of play times with lots of friends!

Much to my dismay, Tacey's hair is starting to grow back. Yes, I said "dismay!" That is because I LOVE her bald head. I am constantly rubbing it, kissing it and just touching it. I also love the soft fuzz that is growing right now. I know that when her hair is back I will love it just as much and will continuously run my fingers through her hair. I have to admit that part of me will always miss her bald head!

Welcome to Tacey's New Blog

For some reason, the old blog (Updates) isn't working. I have created this new blog to keep everyone informed of what is happening in Tacey's life.