DESCRIBER: A title: ÒLiam: Community.Ó SANDY: So communication with LiamÑintroducing him to new peopleÑlike I said before, he is a very social little guy, and often a lot of people are very eager and interested to meet him, but theyÕre not quite sure exactly how theyÕre supposed to approach him, especially if they donÕt know sign language. So ideally, if I have time to talk toÑwhether itÕs a child, adult, whomeverÑideally I would like to be able to talk to them ahead of time and just give them maybe a few little signs, teach them how they just sign, heÕs going to feelÑyou know, trail your hand. And that seems to help when they just kind ofÉwhen they understand when you meet him, give him your identifierÑwhether itÕs a ring, or your bracelet, you know. Let him feel who you are, your identifier, so heÕll remember you. And then just kind of see where it goes from there. And often IÕll stand to the side and kind of feed them some signs so that they can respond back and forth with him. And Liam is just kind of a fun guy. He does like new people, and if he feels like that person is really trying to interact with him and trying to have a fun time with him, heÕs going to just find a way to interact with them, whether itÕs tickling, giving fives, laughing, running with them. Liam finds all different kinds of ways to communicate with people at all different kinds of levels. DESCRIBER: At school, Liam sits at a table with his teacher. He gets out of his chair and gives the teacher a hug. SANDY: I would have to say the biggest challenge that we have, or I have, raising a kiddo who is deaf-blind is I am constantly having to think of ways to adapt and modify his world. ItÕs really important to me that Liam is included and that the world around him is made as accessible as possible. This includes church, school, home. If we go out to the community, what kind of things do I need to do to make sure that he knows whatÕs going on, heÕs accepted, heÕs included. And even leisure activities, community activitiesÑitÕs a constantÉhaving to think and brainstorm and create and create and create ways for him to beÉjust for his world to be accessible to him. Very important, and worth every minute of it, but it still is a challenge. DESCRIBER: At a bowling alley, Sandy helps Liam place the ball on a special ramp. It travels down the ramp into the lane and straight toward the pins. SANDY: My hopes and dreams for my Liam...I dream that Liam one dayÑI just want him to grow up, to be happy and healthy. I want him to be surrounded by his friends and family. I want him to be accepted and valued. I want him to haveÉas an adult, I want him to have a career that he loves, has pride in, and a career that he has chosen. And ultimately I want him to be as independent as possible.