During my experience as a speech language pathologist intern at Emerson College, I learned a tremendous amount about the assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders of both children and adults from expert clinicians and professors. However, I think one of my best teachers was Andy. Andy taught me a lot about courage, determination, humor and living in the moment. I remember fondly his curiosity about new things, his great laugh and his love for his family. Andy’s family is instrumental in who Andy is, a caring and thoughtful young boy who continues to fight to live. Andy has taught me what it is like to care about my clients, to care about their families and to truly want to make a difference in their lives. I can only hope that in some small way, I made a difference in his life.
From Andy’s website on his therapists…
A physician, walking home after a long day of caring for patients, strolls along the river. He hears a voice yell out, “Help me, I’m drowning.” The physician dives into the river and pulls the individual out of the water. Minutes later, he hears another voice. Again he throws himself into the water and emerges with another survivor. Soon, there is a chorus of voices calling to him from the water. Exhausted, he takes a breath before turning to jump in again. But first, he notices a basic scientist on the hill. “Come help me save these people,” the physician calls to her. “There are too many people drowning here.” Thoughtfully scratching her chin, the scientist declines. “That’s an interesting observation,” the scientist says. “I wonder who is upstream throwing all these people in the river. I think I will head upstream to find out. Exhausted, he takes a breath before turning to jump in again. But first, he notices a therapist on the hill.”Come help me save these people,” the physician calls to her. “There are too many people drowning here.” With enthusiasm the therapist accepts. “Lets teach them how to swim,” the therapist says. The therapist dives into the river and teaches the individuals how to swim out of the water.
Picture taken April 25th. 2003
Leigh-Anne Porter was Andy’s speech language pathologist at Emerson College during the period 01/08/03 to 05/09/03.
She contacted us recently and purchased a Live Immune wristband.
Thank you Leigh-Anne!