Rosedale School
2117 W. 49th St.
Austin, TX, 78756
(512) 414-3617 phone
(512) 458-6754 fax
www.austinschools.org/rosedale/

I heard my child speak for the first time last year. My daughter, Savannah, is nine years old. As a result of a stroke at birth, she is quadriplegic, legally blind, and non-verbal. But because of you and the Rosedale Foundation, Savannah now has a voice.

How can you give a voice to the children of Rosedale School, many of whom are non-verbal? By riding your bike in the 2009 Rosedale Ride and increasing your contribution to the Rosedale Foundation.

Savannah struggles with daily seizures and must be monitored around the clock. Savannah has been a student at Rosedale School since she was three years old. The school, which serves as Austin Independent School District's only campus dedicated to medically fragile kids, provides outstanding educational opportunities for kids like Savannah. When I visit Rosedale School, I am reminded why this campus is so important: only 1 out of every 3 children at the school live with a family member. The Rosedale kids are some of our community's most vulnerable and they often lack the home life support and resources that many of us take for granted. This is where the Rosedale Foundation makes such a difference.

Last year, the therapists at Rosedale recommended a computerized communication device for Savannah. The computer is programmed with her teacher's voice and conveys messages that are appropriate for her school and home life. Savannah triggers the device by pushing a button with her head to cycle through the messages until she finds the one she wants to choose.

The computerized communication device that Savannah uses was purchased by the Rosedale Foundation. That is what the Rosedale Foundation does – gives a voice to children who most need it. The Foundation provides other therapeutic and educational resources to the school's children, as well. The Foundation depends on your Rosedale Ride entrance fee - which is the lowest for such a ride in the region - and generous donation to help the Rosedale children. Please consider increasing your donation this year.

On behalf of all the students at Rosedale, thank you for the chance to be heard.