Tommy is Two!

We have a lot to celebrate. Tommy is two and he is doing great! That's our biggest gift.

We had two smaller family parties for Tom this year because one big party with both families and friends was just too much for him last year. Of course, he woke up sick on Saturday for his party at home. He was a good sport all morning but he took an afternoon nap and woke up super cranky. Oh well! That's what happens at children's birthday parties.

We are lucky to have the support of so many wonderful family and friends. They show it all year in the visits, cards and calls we receive. But at Tom's party we saw how they could work together to do something amazing for the little guy we all love so much.

Do you know what's in this box?

This is when I realized it's an iPad!

Tom's good friend Ashley contacted my friends and family and organized an effort to raise enough money to buy him an iPad! The fact that everyone was in on this secret and made this happen for Tom still makes me teary when I think of it. I will never forget this.

Ashley and Tom go way back

The iPad is proving to be a revolutionary device for all disabled people and for blind people in particular. All Apple products have built-in accessibility features that are essential for blind and visually impaired users. On your iPad, go to Settings > General> Accessibility to activate VoiceOver. When your finger is touching something on the iPad screen, VoiceOver will tell you what you are touching. It provides the link blind people need! Check out this article for more information on accessibility.

It's so simple and it's built in. That's the amazing part. They are truly making devices for everyone and that is very special. Most specialized devices for the disabled are very expensive. I think it's wonderful that this everyday product can be used by my blind son with no additional effort. He can be like all the other kids! Those other very lucky toddlers with iPads...well, you know what I mean.

But the sweet gifts don't stop there! Tom got so many gifts that are perfect for him and I could tell that people were really thinking about what would work for him. He has been very busy with all his new stuff. 

Tom got one very special card from my friend April. It is a homemade touch and feel book! The We is fleece, the heart is cardboard, and the Tom is velvety plastic. How creative is that!

 Here is Tom enjoying his iPad.

 After all the excitement on Saturday, we did it all again at a Steeler themed birthday party at Derek's parents house. There Tom was showered with lots of interactive books and stylish fall clothes. He is one fashionable dude.

Thank you to all Tom's friends and family! He is a very lucky little boy and obviously very loved.