DESCRIBER: A title: "A Family Decision."
PAUL FREDERICKS (AvaÕs Stepdad): Since day one, I came into our family, AvaÕs life, when she was about two years old, and she was always our main priority. The respect for Ava and the love for her kind of showed through everybody.
DESCRIBER: A photo shows Ava as a young child wearing her cochlear implant.
CARLY FREDERICKS (AvaÕs Mom): Co-parenting is difficult enough in any situation; however, having a child that has special needs, we really had to learn how to make sure that we were addressing those issues, but also doing it in a way where everyone felt involved.
AMBER HICKSON (AvaÕs Stepmom): ItÕs always been open communication between the Fredericks and the Bullises because Ava is so important to all of us. We all have a really great relationship, and I tell everyone itÕs a really unique situation. Carly will call me and talk to me about what we want to do for plans for Ava, and itÕs nice because I can go to her and ask her really anything about what I should do for Ava.
CARLY: ItÕs been a true team effort, and I think this is what shaped AvaÕs overall confidence. Knowing that she can transition between both homes, knowing that everyone gets along, everyone knows whatÕs going along so she canÕt get over on either one of us. I feel that she definitely feels supported.
Initially when Paul approached me about the idea of moving out of town, I was really nervous.
AMBER:ÊI think that we were really nervous about how she would adapt to a new school.
JAMES BULLIS (AvaÕs Dad): The school system, the teachers, the services she might receive. And adapting with new children, especially being in fifth grade, children obviously sometimes can be harsh. Those were some of the nerves that I had.
CARLY: So when he had proposed the idea, I said our quality of life was most important. We canÕt provide the perfect world for Ava to live in or the perfect academic space, but our home can at least be perfect. So that was much more important to both of us.
PAUL: The reason we chose Manchester was because we could afford a much larger house with a bigger floor plan, which made things easier for Ava to navigate through the house and also for our other kids to be able to get around much easier.
CARLY: We actually took the kids with usÑwe showed them the houseÑand it was truly a family decision. We asked them what they felt about it; we wanted them to feel a part of that decision as well. It was a hard decision, but I think now in the end, weÕre really happy with it.
PAUL: Yes.
MASON (AvaÕs Brother): ItÕs really good, and we got a nice house, and we got some friends on our street. We ride our scooters together.
MILEY (AvaÕs Sister): I have lots of friends, and my school is so nice. I feel very happyÑvery, very happy.
PAUL: The schools have been phenomenal and the kids are comfortable where they are.
CARLY: And the community really has been so accepting, I mean all of the kids. AvaÉone thing that weÕve always taught her is that she needs to be comfortable in her own skin, and if sheÕs comfortable with herself, it doesnÕt matter whatÕs going on around her, people will be comfortable with her. She went in with confidence, and we were so proud of herÑitÕs not an easy thing to do. And itÕs been great.