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
4 | THE BEACON