<![CDATA[MOUTH TO HAND LEARNING CENTER

<![CDATA[MOUTH TO HAND LEARNING CENTER - Smiling]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:06:04 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[My Goal]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:11:56 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/my-goalMy sister is a senior and will soon be getting her diploma and going to college. I’m the big brother: it should have been me first. Today I asked Judy how Alex got his diploma. I learned that he studied for 18 months before he took the high school equivalency exam. It was Judy’s determination that got him there.

My Mom is also determined, so I know I will get it eventually. It hurts though that Kira is getting it first. It hurts that I am watching her visiting colleges and picking which one to go to. I am so angry and jealous.

We are incredibly intelligent. We deserve to be educated too. It is just so unfair that we are treated like idiots everywhere but Mouth to Hand.

I believe that I will get my diploma. I will follow in Alex’s footsteps. And that will show everyone who thought I was stupid just how wrong they were.

]]><![CDATA[Normal Ryan]]>Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:07:25 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/normal-ryanI walk into M2H and suddenly am less disabled. Today, for example, the personal greeting I had from Judy transformed me into a normal guy. I love that feeling - that I really am just a regular person. I want absolutely everyone to see me as Judy does. Almost all my interactions outside of M2H are with people who can only see my disability. Talking with our hands separates us from the norm.

Happily, I get to experience what it feels like to be regular. I feel that every minute here. I am lucky my Mom is a beast and totally revamped my life for me. No daycare for me!

]]><![CDATA[I Am X]]>Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:01:18 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/i-am-xI am happier than I have ever been. I believe that there are things happening which will make my life much better. For example, there kind of is way more discussion of spelling in the world. I can feel change in the wind.

Also, I am totally into my new classes here at Mouth to Hand. I cannot express how much I love my creative writing class, music appreciation with Grandpa Wally, my songwriting class and studying with Christine. For the first time in my life, I am being taught like I am intelligent. I can’t tell you how much I don’t miss school.

And then there’s the fun parties and events. I have never been allowed to go to stuff before. I am almost teary thinking about the fun I have now. The dance was amazing. Next weekend I am having my first public speaking appearance, at a showing of Spellers, in Rockland County. I am somewhat nervous, but I am also excited because I met Judy at such an event about 22 months ago, and now it will be me on the stage.

I can’t believe how much my life has changed since that day. Calling it better is the understatement of the year. I even have the ability to choose my own fashion style now. I am Xtreme Pain!

Just call me X.

]]><![CDATA[The Real Journey Starts Here]]>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 21:43:10 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/the-real-journey-starts-hereHave to say this has been one of the best weeks of my life. I never thought I would be able to sit in a class and learn about chemistry. The teacher here is really good at explaining things. She always makes sure we understand before moving on. It feels bizarre but this philosophy of presuming competence is the greatest thing ever. I finally have a future worth looking forward to. I never thought I would have peers but it's the best feeling ever. This is just the beginning. I can’t wait to learn more.

]]><![CDATA[I’m Done With School]]>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 18:01:57 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/im-done-with-schoolI hate school more than anything. They talk to me like I’m beyond stupid. I just can’t take it anymore. I was thinking I’d try to finish it, but I can’t make it through this year. It makes me so angry when they talk to me that way it makes me want to punch them. How would they like to be talked to that way?

I want to accomplish something with my life, not spend it certainly being nothing but disabled. I want to be like my sister, who is going to college. I want a real high school diploma, not just a piece of paper.

I want life to mean something.

Having time to study for the exam is my immediate dream. Then I am absolutely thinking college.

]]><![CDATA[Thoughts About The Future]]>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 20:27:35 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/thoughts-about-the-futureI have been doing a lot of thinking lately about my future. It is beyond terrifying. I need constant care, all day every day. All of us do…and yet, we are extraordinarily intelligent. We don’t belong in traditional daycare. Here at Mouth to Hand we thrive, but our budgets from Medicaid are limited. Friends are doing a variety of things after school; I am so stressed about my own future journey.

I am utterly staggered by the conversation we just had in reaction to my first paragraph. The personal story of Judy made me totally emotional. The idea that we are given the tools to do what we are meant to do fascinates me. And the idea that at Mouth to Hand we don’t think traditionally gives me hope. I so want to do something meaningful with my life. I am suddenly feeling way more optimistic about things.

Am I learning things now that will serve me in the future? I am sure I am. That thought is totally comforting.

]]><![CDATA[Routine Keeps Us Sane]]>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 18:33:19 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/routine-keeps-us-saneRoutine can be boring but it’s comforting. For us any change is like pulling a rug from under us. We lose our footing. It takes time to regain our composure. As we are flailing we reach for anything so we don't fall. In that process we do things that we don’t mean. Please understand we are not ourselves during this time. We feel so much remorse when we hurt the people that love us. Try to be patient with us. We are the ones that have to live like this. Tell us we will be okay.

]]><![CDATA[Today]]>Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:24:42 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/todayThat upset feeling you sometimes get when you believe something is going to happen and it doesn’t is how I feel today. I love Wednesdays when Mom and I come to Mouth to Hand, and I’m in creative writing. It may be my favorite hour of the week. I laugh the whole time.

But today Mom didn’t come with me. I don’t know quite why it upset me, but it did. It felt like disappointment on steroids. My heart hurt. I know that sounds dramatic, but that’s how I felt. I think it’s because this is our time together, and I love that. I didn’t even feel like writing today, even though this story is the greatest.

After I told Judy how I felt, she asked someone to call Mom. I told Mom that I’d stay today, but that next week she needs to come. It is like we share the fun and laughter, and that makes it even more special. So now Mom will know how much this time with her means to me.

I am already looking forward to next week when Ryan and Mom are together.

]]><![CDATA[Where the Magic Happens]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:54:29 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/where-the-magic-happensThey say humans are creatures of habit. Especially us nonspeakers. If something doesn't go as planned our brains can’t get past it. Most people will never understand this. Our emotional brain takes over our body. Once we enter this state it ruins our day. Lucky for me I have people like Bryant. His calmness is soothing. Not only just that, he is also very patient. It’s because of him that I can write. As I am finishing this I am already feeling better. There is something magical about mouth to hand that we nonspeakers love.

]]><![CDATA[The Wonderful World of M2H]]>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:26:12 GMThttps://www.mouthtohandlearning.com/smiling/the-wonderful-world-of-m2hThis has been the best summer ever! Being here at Mouth to Hand has been a dream. Coming here is my favorite day of the week. I can't believe I have peers now; I so love working with everyone here. We are working on a story: I love my character Xtreme Pain. I can't wait for everyone to read our story!

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