Carousel

This story really should be posted on Lauren’s website, but the Reeds are extremely busy and who knows when they will get around to writing a blog entry. I thought it was so sweet, I wanted to write about it myself.

The story really began about a year ago when Lauren’s music therapist told Carrie that Lauren has perfect pitch. She wants every song to be sung in the key of C. If you sing one of the dozens of songs in her repertoire in any key other than C, Lauren won’t sing with you; she’ll just watch and listen. Then when you stop, she’ll pick that song up in C. She loves to sing and does so for hours on end every day. Her therapists feel that music is the very best tool for developing Lauren’s communication skills.

About the same time, the Make-A-Wish Foundation contacted Carrie and Brian about granting a wish for Lauren. They gave thought to the typical ideas — a trip to Disney World, a bedroom makeover — but none seemed like a good option for Lauren. Then Carrie got the idea of a small carousel; the kind you see in front of grocery stores. Lauren loves to ride a merry-go-round. So Carrie asked Make-A-Wish if that would be possible. They had never had a request like it, but were very excited to pursue it. The cost of a new one was out of the budget range, but a used one might be possible. After several months of looking and seeking approval from the board, they called Brian and Carrie to tell them they would be able to grant Lauren’s Wish. Carrie decided immediately that she wanted it placed at L.I.F.E.

The carousel was delivered yesterday. As they were bringing it in and setting it up, Lauren saw it for the first time. Now here’s the incredible part: she started singing! But not just anything. She sang “Round and round, round and round,” and then “if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands”. She was communicating that she knew the carousel went round and round, and she was happy!

She’s going to have many hours of fun on it, and so are lots of other children.