Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 5, 1 May 1993 — Handicapped teenager receives "Yes I Can" award in Texas [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Handicapped teenager receives "Yes I Can" award in Texas

by Patrick Johnston Five years ago Miehael Cheek was dying. This Apiil he was on a plane for Texas to accept an award for independent living skills. Cheek was one of 36 recipients from across North Ameiiea who received the "Yes I Can" award recognizing outstanding achievements of children and youth with disabilities. With financial help from OHA, Cheek was able to travel with his mother to collect the award presented by the Foundation for Exceptional Children. Cheek was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 13. After several surgeries and extensive ott(»mntc ot rpKoKilitotmn Kp ti/oc

UllVllipiO Ul 1V11UU1111U11V11 11V nuj considered terminally ill and given only a few months to live. The tumor had left him blind and a subsequent stroke had eonfined him to a wheelchair. Cheek did not die, however, and with the help of family, doctors and teachers-not to mention his own perseverance and hard work-was able to make a remarkable eomehaek. He has recovered his eyesight and ean even walk short distances without a eane. His two Kailua High School teachers, Denise Darval and Debra Sakabe nominated him for the award whieh he received in San Antonio, Texas, April 8. "Miehael is a very unique person," says Sakabe. "He always

tries to do better, is always striving. ... but at the same time he knows his limitations and accepts life as it is." When Miehael first entered Kailua High School's special education program 4 years ago he was spastic, confined to a wheel chair, and would often have seizures and tremors. Through slow, steady therapy, whieh included regular walking and body motion drills, he was able to regain his motor skills. He now ean lead an almost normal, independent life. Sakabe explains, "The class was self-contained so we could work with him all the time and not have to worry about the others' schedules. ... It's a complete

course and we're able to teach him everything he has to know to survive in the outside world." OHA assisted Cheek and his mother, Kanoe, on their trip to Texas by providing a grant-in-aid of $2,100 to help cover travel costs. "In facing such misfortune with grace and courage, Miehael and his mom are an inspiration to us all," said Abraham Aiona, the BOT vice-chair. This was Cheek's second trip to the mainland and the first east of Disneyland. San Antonio was a niee crime-free city, he said, but a little hot for his liking. In San Francisco it snowed-the first time Cheek had encountered the chilly white stuff. How did he feel about snow?

"It's not bad, but I wouldn't want it around everyday." Cheek, now 18, will be gradu-

ating from Kailua High School next year and then hopes to enter Windward Community College.

e <0 e e £ o o £

Miehael Cheek and teacher Debra Sakabe