Family matters

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Marci Johnson

Happy 30th Birthday to Baby IDEA!

#babyIDEAis30

Marci was one of the first infants to participate in early intervention services in Utah through PL 99-457. She was born with Down syndrome on June 29, 1986, being the youngest of seven siblings. Marci was referred to early intervention by the elementary school principal and started home services with a nurse when she was three months old. She received both home visits and center based instruction from Jordan School District in Sandy, Utah for three years. The things she learned those early years jumpstarted her story of strength and confidence in succeeding in anything she wanted to do.

As Marci transitioned into Part B special education services she grew and developed in a school setting where she was integrated with typically developing peers most of the school day. She had friends at school, in the neighborhood, and at church. She participated and enjoyed all the activities and fun things her peers were doing throughout elementary, middle school, and high school. After high school, she transitioned into vocational rehab program where she learned skills that would prepare her for employment.

Her first pay check.

Marci works at DDI VANTAGE Early Intervention Program!

Then disaster struck . . . . . . . Ewing Sarcoma

Marci was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, bone cancer of the femur in 2012. She spent nine months in and out of the hospital where she received chemo and eventually surgery to remove her femur.

Her diseased bone was replaced with prosthetic femur.

Then in 2016, Ewing Sarcoma reoccurred in the same leg,

but this time as a tumor the size of a tennis ball.

She received another nine months of chemo and radiation.

This time, her treatments were out patient services.

Despite the setbacks, Marci has been strong, brave, and ever smiling.

And determined to walk again!

She has had private anti-gravity fitness lessons,

Aquatic therapy and physical therapy,

and even indoor skydiving!

Marci is an inspiration and example of strength, courage, perseverance, and patience to all who know her, and even those who only know of her. Marci is who she is today because of the support and encouragement she received for the past thirty years from early intervention providers, special education teachers, doctors, medical staff, her employer, friends, family, and the countless acquaintances who love her.

Marci is a survivor: whatever comes, she fights and wins!

Marci just celebrated her 30th birthday too!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Gila Valley Temple trip

Great Grandpa Lee was raised in the Gila Valley and wanted so much to see the new Temple where he grew up. So we loaded up Grandma and Grandpa in our new Acura and off we went.

We saw the Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona.

We saw the Navajo Bridge that crosses the Colorado River down stream from Lee's Ferry.

We saw the Visitor's Center at Navajo Bridge.

Here is a plaque describing Lee's Ferry that was built and run by John D. Lee, my father's Great Grandfather. It was the only crossing of the Colorado River in pioneer days when Saints were settling Arizona and New Mexico.

Here are the Vermillion Cliffs on the border of Utah and Arizona.

This is the headstone for John Amasa Lee, my father's Grandfather. Dad remembers him well and told many stories about him while we were making the long trip.

This is the grave of John D Lee, my Great, Great Grandfather. It is in Panguitch, Utah.

My mother and father in front of the temple. We went through a session where Dad saw an old friend he hadn't seen in 68 years who was in the same session.