I just had to share the following with you.  I hope you remember that we are the family who won the so-cute PT doll when you were on the Radio here in Idaho with Mike Haney.  

We fell in love with PT, and hoped he would make a big difference to future foster children who needed a little hope and possibility thinking.  He had a special place in our family room, and was quite the conversation piece when friends and neighbors dropped in for the holidays.

But every time I looked at him I had a feeling he needed to be in my handicapped foster son's middle school classroom.  I fought that feeling- we all loved the doll!    I asked my husband about it, and he said "Nope."  My daughter said "But Mom I love him!"  

Everyday the thought got stronger and stronger- and when I asked again- the answers had changed-- Ok, it's a good idea.  But get another one!

I received a note from Mrs. Roundy, the classroom teacher today-  I wanted to share some of it with you....

"Dear Patty

I had to take time for a little more than a simple thank you for the gift of PT to our classroom.

Martin has been a cause for much thought and consultation.  I've prayed so hard as I've tried to reach him.   When I took PT out of the gift bag I seemed to hear a whisper  "Here is your answer."   I placed PT by Martin.  Soon Martin had placed him on a chair beside himself, and when PT was good Martin let him safeguard one of his toys.

Several days later, Martin had numerous seizures.  By gum, if PT didn't have seizures too.  But PT had no special magnet to wear.  This was a big problem so I pulled out the science kit and found one with a hole,  I happened to have a lanyard similar to the one Martin wears.  We let Martin pass the magnet over PT's chest, so he would stop shaking.  The class was all excited that PT had a magnet.  But Martin was concerned.  PT doesn't have a helmet.   You see,  Martin wears his magnet and helmet every day- a cause of embarrassment and dismay much of the time.  I promised we'd find him one.

I measured PT's head and went to the dollar store, there I found a hollow ball and cut it down to make a helmet.  Then I put PT's hoody on and set him back on Martins desk.

The next day,  I reminded Martin that hoodies are not allowed at the middle school, and asked him to help PT dress appropriately.

Martin pulled off the hoody, and yelled  "HEY, he has a helmet!"

Later that day we did a MAPS session with Martin.  During that special time alone in the classroom is the only time a student gets to sit in the teacher’s chair and talk about his needs and feelings- he is the absolute special focus.   The therapist wrote down Martins answers. 

Later that day Martin was alone in the classroom as others were doing special goals.  He took PT over and put him in the teacher's chair and began asking him questions--  What is your favorite color?   He wrote down RED.  It went on and on, not surprisingly PT liked a lot of things that Martin liked,  and was afraid of many of the things that Martin feared. 

Monday  PT lost his helmet.  You see, Martin would really like to loose his too!   Sadly it became a "day of crisis" for PT as he had a big seizure.  He wore a big bandage and had to rest the remainder of the day, because his head had been so injured.   The next day I had a new "helmet" for PT and Martin put it on him-  Martin has stopped complaining about his helmet too.

Thanks for answering prayers, and assisting me in reaching Martin.

Yesterday I heard words I never thought I'd hear.   When Martin's bus came he said, "I don't want to go home, I want to stay here."

Oh Marlene-  I hope that touches your heart as it does mine.  What a blessing PT is in so many ways.   We'll be sending for a new PT doll when the budget is in line for one.  In the meantime, it is so incredible to know he is right where he needs to be, doing exactly what he needs to be doing.

Love and best wishes as you bring PT to many more Martins!

patty