The Beacon The Beacon 2018 Issue 3 | Page 6

“ Ethan has blessed our family beyond belief and we couldn ’ t be more thankful that he had this opportunity to come to LLH .”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT : GRADUATE STORIES

Ethan

Ethan was born on February 10 , 2012 at St . Francis Hospital . We did not find out that he might have Down Syndrome until he was 3 days old . After the long 2 week wait we got the results that indeed he has DS . We were heartbroken and did not understand why but we loved him the same . He was perfectly healthy and very tiny at 4lbs 11oz . We did find out later he had a small hole in his heart which thankfully closed up on its own by the time he was 2.5 . With the help of the Down Syndrome community in Tulsa and many new friends we made along the way we were able to grow and accept his diagnosis . In March 2012 he was

“ Ethan has blessed our family beyond belief and we couldn ’ t be more thankful that he had this opportunity to come to LLH .”

signed up and waiting for a spot at the Little Light House . After what seemed like forever we finally got the call that Ethan had a spot and he would get to start at LLH . He was 2.5 when he started school and his life was changed and blessed forever . He had just started walking a week before school started so he was still wobbly and mostly crawling . Everyone just loved him and how fast he crawled everywhere ! By the time Mini-laps came around he was practically running ! I was so impressed . He has learned so much in the 4 years he ’ s been at LLH . He is able to play with his classmates now and communicate with them , he knows his colors and his name and is working on site words . He is the fastest runner and so energetic and full of life . Ethan has great potential and is so smart . He has blessed our family beyond belief and we couldn ’ t be more thankful that he had this opportunity to come to LLH . He has had the most amazing and loving teachers . I couldn ’ t have asked for a better experience . We are excited for his new transition into kindergarten and a little scared as well but I know he will do great . He is very well prepared . We will miss our
LLH family and community so much !
Love , Brian , Vicki , Taelem , Kyler , and Ethan Rodriguez
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