2002 began with Gray starting preschool at St. Gabriel’s Cradle. He is in the 3 year-old class and loving every minute of it! The children and teachers, Miss Jean and Miss Denise, are very supportive and it has been such a positive experience. He takes his wheelchair and has assistance provided through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. We are so blessed to have found such a perfect match! He will go four days a week next year with the four-year old class.

In February, we took Gray to the circus. He thoroughly enjoyed the event; animals, clowns, toys (for sale, of course), and food (if you consider cotton candy food!)

Gray led the neighborhood children in the annual Easter Egg Hunt with his wheelchair! We also spent an amazing afternoon at Cirque Du Soleil, “Quidam.” It was a grand time! Gray also went to a Hornets game with his buddies, Jackson and Davis. The blimp was the main attraction, with the Hornet coming in a close second.

Recently, Gray has enjoyed the warmer weather and has been exploring outside with his wheelchair.

Gray has been healthy and cheerful all winter long, with just a few colds. He started therapy again, physical and occupational. We are looking forward to a fun-filled, eventful summer! Gray asks everyday if summer is here yet, and if so, when can we go to the pool?

Thank you for your support, prayers and helpfulness. We couldn’t do it without you and we are so grateful to have such a compassionate group of family and friends.

Gray’s Great Aunt, Katie Flanagan of Coopersburg, PA, organized a “Dress Down Day” at her school, Lower Nazareth Elementary School. The faculty and staff donated money to dress down in casual clothing. All proceeds were sent to FSMA. Thank you Aunt Katie!

Some special people have asked family and friends to donate money to Gray’s Gang in lieu of gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Anne Flater and Marilyn Dougherty have chosen this kind act for several years and we are very grateful. Many of their friends and family have sent donations to Gray’s Gang and we thank them too!

It is hard to believe Gray’s school year is already over. Throughout the year at St. Gabriel’s, he was enriched with good friends and valuable experiences. Eleven children were in his class with nine returning from the previous year. Gray has been observed providing free rides for some fellow classmates on the back of his wheelchair (without the approval of his parents and teachers, of course). Miss Jean, Miss Samantha and Miss Becky were his wonderful, caring teachers. Gray will return for one more year at St. Gabriel’s Cradle before he starts kindergarten!

Physical and occupational therapists were supplied through Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. The therapists each visited once a week for 30 minutes. Gray’s Educational Director this year was Debbie Bissett. Gray really enjoyed her.

Gray became a big brother to Riley Christian on October 14th, 2002! When we shared the news with Gray about the arrival of his baby brother, he responded, “yeah, I wished for a brother, now I can boss him around.” He is such a caring and loving big brother. Gray makes Riley laugh and Riley loves to watch Gray zoom around in his wheelchair! Gray said that God gave us the perfect baby for our family, and he was right! We are very blessed, again!

The 4th Annual SMAshing Kickoff event was held Nov. 2nd. Once again, it was a huge success! Lots of fun, food, great items to buy and win through the raffle. We appreciate all of the hard work that everyone, especially Maria Stone, put forth to raise over $26,000. In 2003 however, the Wolfpack will no doubt be victorious.