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This summer, on August 19, 2009, I had the chance to meet President Barack Obama. Yes! The President of the United States of America!! Of course, I was extremely excited about this once in a lifetime chance. Not only was meeting the president a highlight, but I also got the opportunity to travel in an airplane for the first time. It was early when my dad and I left home.
At 9:00 AM, my father and I left our house to drive to Victory Junction Gang Camp (VJGC) in Randleman, North Carolina. The camp was founded by Kyle Petty, in honor of his son, Adam, who died in a Nascar racing crash. We had arrived at 10:00 AM, just like the six others, lucky VJGC campers that were also chosen to meet the president. All seven of us children, including our parents, were loaded onto the camp bus where we continued our travels to Lexington airport. At the airport, Kyle Petty was awaiting with two private jets. During our visit to Washington DC, he would be accompanying us for the day.
By the time we arrived in Washington DC, it was already 2:00-3:00 PM. We were scheduled to meet with the president around 3:30, so we had to move quickly and we decided to drive by a few DC sites. After visiting the Capital and the Washington Monument, we arrived at the White House, where we had to pass through a metal detector which was located inside a small building adjacent to the main building. Our group was escorted to the White House China Room, which had displays of silverware and dishes from all different time periods when the presidents lived. However, I learned our parents couldn't stay in the room with us when we met the president, so they were shown to a small area where they waited. Another disappointing thing was my learning also that President Barack Obama could only see us for a few minutes due to an interview with ESPN. When he walked into the room I was awestruck being able to see him in real life and not on television (he was definitely taller than on TV).
From the White House we went to a small diner-like restaurant named Johnny Rockets, which can only be found in the major cities of the United States. After eating, we then drove back to the airport and reloaded back into the private jets. This was the second main highlight of my trip, as I mentioned earlier, because I was able to sit in the co-pilot's seat on the way home! As you can imagine, my flight instantly became more exciting. While we were flying, I got to look at the radar screen, as well as see a thunderstorm in the distance. It appeared much closer seeing it in a plane rather than seeing it on the ground, but on the radar it was at least 5-10 miles away. I sat in the cockpit watching the landscapes below slowly become larger and larger, as we approached the end of the flight.
Upon arrival at the Lexington airport, we then loaded back onto the camp's bus and drove to Victory Junction. From there we all said our goodbyes and we loaded into our cars, and went home. I will always remember this day because of the excitement it brought and the new people I met. All my thanks go to the Petty family for choosing me out of the many campers from VJGC they could have chosen.
Morgan Sagerman
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Share Your Stories - Ronan and Julia |
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 Three and a half years ago, Ronan and Julia came into this world at 25 weeks gestation. Ronan spent 5 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UNC Hospitals. He spent several months on a ventilator and was diagnosed with a cerebral bleed, and perforated bowel which led to surgery to remove parts of his damaged intestines. He left the hospital with a gastrostomy tube, and a central line (broviac). He has mild cerebral palsy and sensory oral integrative disorder. Julia spent 3 months in the NICU and was diagnosed with chronic lung disease. She received heart surgery to correct her Patent ductus arteriosus and left the hospital on oxygen. Today Ronan and Julia receive CAP/C services and attend an inclusive preschool/daycare. The services that they have recieved through Early Intervention, Wake County Schools, and CAP/C have helped them make tremendous strides in catching up with their peers. Their parents have written a book to help other parents with premature babies deal with their NICU journey and eventual homecoming. The book can be ordered at www.xlibris.com/TheNICURollercoaster.html or at Amazon.
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Share Your Stories - Logan Bunn |
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Write to us and share a story about your family. Just click the butterfly!
     | | Imagine this... 2.25.05 “I was born today at 23 weeks and 5 days old.” 3.3.05 “I raised my eyebrow today when Mommy sang Jesus Love Me to me in the isolette.” 3.18.05 “Daddy played peek-a-boo with me today.” 4.3.05 “Mommy got to change my first dirty diaper today” 4.26.05 “My Daddy held me for the first time today.” 6.16.05 “My first bath with bubbles.” 9.5.05 “I came home today for the first time.” 7.11.08 “I went to Vacation Bible School today. I squealed with delight when the pastor talked on the microphone.” 4.24.09 “I went to the zoo today. Daddy pulled me in the wagon and mommy tried to stay cool.” On March 1, 2009 RHA Howell CAP C case managers had the pleasure of meeting Logan Bunn for the first time. Logan is from Zebulon, NC and is 4 years old. He is the only son of Mike and Shannon Bunn. Logan has been receiving CAP C services under the Medicaid Waiver program since July 2006.Logan was born premature at 23 weeks gestation, which led to a seven-month stay in the hospital at birth. Logan was diagnosed with chronic lung disease, a cerebral bleed, perforated bowel, and partial paralysis of his vocal cords in the first four weeks of his precious life here on earth. Eventually, complications such as seizure disorders, gastrostomy tube placement, tracheostomy placement, and sensory oral integrative disorder arose from the premature birth. Related to the amount of close medically trained supervision that Logan requires daily, CAP C provides Logan with in home nursing services; physical, occupational,feeding, vision, and speech therapies; help with medical supplies and durable medical equipment; and a case manager to link Logan and his family with community supports. In March 2009, RHA Howell started providing case management services for the CAP C Medicaid Waiver Program. We are currently providing services for children in Johnston, Wake, Durham, Orange, Iredell,Catawba, and Forsyth Counties. RHA Howell CAP C case managers have truly embraced the children and families that currently receive case management services. It can easily be said that each and everyday, the case managers go to work with the idea that they will teach and educate the CAP C clients and their families, when in fact, it is the clients that teach us so much more. Melissa Whaley, Logan Bunn’s current case manager expresses that Logan and his parents embrace what the program is all about. Mike and Shannon Bunn are always willing to comply with the home visits and monthly calls that are required of CAP C families. Communication is key between a case manager and CAP C family. Melissa and Logan’s family have mastered the concept. I think that Shannon Bunn’s statement says it all, “We are so proud for each milestone. Every small advancement is an answer to a prayer. What a wonderful blessing to be a parent. Our journey is different than some but we thank God for each step.” Alena Smith |
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