Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994 TAG: 9407070081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"I've waited for this day," Linda Anders said. "I'm real excited and nervous too."
Linda Anders' anxiety will subside after she pushes her son across the stage. Timmy, 21, was born with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, fluid on the brain. He will never walk and has limited communication skills.
Kim Rogers, a special education teacher at CHS, has helped Timmy develop better language and adult living skills at his home for the past eight years.
"His biggest stride has been in his communication skills - his ability to communicate more than just his needs," Rogers said.
Timmy's favorite topic of conversation is country music.
"His life is his music," Linda Anders said. "Sometimes a song comes on and I don't even know it, but Timmy does."
Tanya Tucker is his favorite artist. Timmy Anders also enjoys professional wrestling and was thrilled to meet Jimmy "Boogie Woogie Man" Valiant last year.
Linda Anders hoped Valiant would be able to push Timmy's wheelchair, but the wrestler had to go out of town.
Though Linda Anders is excited about Timmy's graduation, she's also concerned about the family's future. Timmy's medical bills are expensive and his father, Rick, is unable to work because of health problems.
Medicaid does cover most of the medical expenses and charitable organizations have helped the family pay for other items.
Easter Seals provided $200 for a new bath chair, which cost $295, but the family will be ineligible for such aid in the future.
Linda Anders said Timmy can't receive Easter Seals benefits after he turns 22.
"There shouldn't be an age limit on these children," she said. "These children will be children forever."
Timmy's health has not been good during the past year. He had seizures almost every day, Linda Anders said. A new medication has controlled the seizures but left Timmy with little or no appetite.
His mother will start tube feeding him next week if his appetite doesn't return.
Frequent trips to the doctor are made more difficult because the family drives a compact car, Linda Anders said.
Buster Hodges, owner of Hodges Tire and Muffler, wants to help the Anders get a van. He opened an account at First National Bank in Timmy's name.
"[Timmy] can't help but touch your heart," Hodges said. "I wish I could just buy them [a van] straight out."
With all of Timmy's problems, the family never complains.
"You've got to talk to them and let them know you care," Linda Anders said. "We've always put Timmy first."
Christiansburg will graduate 132 college-bound seniors. Eight students are headed toward the military and others, straight to work.
Christiansburg High School Class of '94
Graduates: 172
Valedictorian: Aaron Anderson Payne
Salutatorian: Jared Randolph Espley
Scholarships: 35 to 40
by CNB