A Message from Forrest

Hello everyone.  This is Forrest.  I want to thank all of you who have donated to the Kickstarter for the documentary.  We passed our initial goal, however, please continue spreading the word and encouraging donations because they still need funds to complete the project.  The link is on the side of the blog.

I am a part of A Place to Be summer camp and we are preparing a show that Mr. Sweitzer wrote called "Best Friend".  It is about a boy who loses his best friend and finds a new best friend in a dog.  I really like the story because of my relationship with Toliver.  The performances are this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Friday is at 7pm, Sunday is at 3pm and tickets are $10 at the door.  Below is the information from A Place to Be about Saturday's show.

Saturday, June 28th, A Place To Be will host it's second annual Benefit Gala!

This amazing night will include the following: 
Saturday, June 28th 2014

5:30 – Cocktails 
6:00 – 6:45 - Heavy Hor d’Oeuvres 
7:00: A Special One-Night-Only PRE-SHOW! 
7:45 – BEST FRIEND Performance 
9:00 – 9:30 – Dessert Reception

We only have 50 seats left.  Each seat is $150 and includes everything above. A Place To Be is a non-profit so a portion of your ticket price is tax deductible.   

Email Angelle@aplacetobeva.org for tickets

We have been working really hard on this show and I hope you all can see it.  If you can, I recommend the special performance and benefit on Saturday night.  Hope to see you there.

Peace -  44 (aka Forrest)

11 More Days for Kickstarter

Our family trip to Bermuda was incredible in every way. No complications, no doctors, no scalp breakdown, no emergency hospital trips!  Most importantly, we proved to ourselves that there are still lots of amazing adventures ahead for Forrest!

Forrest is already immersed in two more fantastic projects.  First: He is practicing every day for his part (he is playing a star, as in celestial being) in the heartwarming musical production, "Best Friend " written by Tom Sweitzer and featuring A Place To Be actors. Don't miss the magic 6/27, 6/28, 6/29 at The Hill School. Visit aplacetobeva.org for details.

Second: Forrest is fundraising for the documentary film HIGH NOTES. He is donating all of the $775 in cash gifts he received for graduation to the Kickstarter Campaign. There are only 11 days left to make the goal of $65,000. If the film does not reach this amount, they will not receive ANY of the pledges. Please encourage your friends and family to click on the link on the right side bar and support this amazing story of hope, healing, and courage. 

With love,

Team 44

Forrest using Austin's Paypal account to donate his graduation money to "High Notes"!

Dolphin Time 6/13/14

Dear Dolphin Quest,

There has always been something magical, joyous, uplifting about getting in the water and connecting with our dolphins. When we helped Forrest lower his long lanky frame down onto the interactive platform at Dolphin Quest Bermuda, it was as if we slipped back in time.  Reliving summers spent with dolphins, before our world was forever changed, to a carefree, playful, innocence.  

There were many months when we wondered if this moment would ever happen. But Forrest showed us anything is possible and  here we are laughing, playing reconnecting...soaking in the dolphin magic. 

Our lives have been blessed and revitalized by our time here.  Austin and Forrest have grown up in the Dolphin Quest Community and the DQ Crew embraced Forrest and our journey in countless ways, encouraging and supporting us with love and faith. To spend time at Dolphin Quest again, together as a family was a rallying goal and vision that carried us through hard times. 

And as though just being here wasn't incredible enough, Tom and Forrest celebrated by "playing the drums" on the dock making music together that the dolphins kept time with!  Life couldn't be sweeter. 

Blessed to be at Dolphin Quest,

Team Forrest 

Bermuda! - Update 6/10/2014

For three years we have dreamed of getting Forrest back in the water with dolphins.   This week, that dream will become reality.  To celebrate his graduation and other accomplishments, Forrest and team have journeyed to Bermuda to enjoy a week of sun, sand and dolphin time!  Yesterday we went to the most gorgeous beaches. Tom, Austin and Forrest enjoyed some frisbee and Toliver, the only dog allowed in the nature preserve or on the beach, splashed and ran with Austin in the waves.   Forrest walked further than he has since his accident! At one point he and Toliver headed off alone to the opposite end of the beach where it ended in a staggeringly beautiful cliff.  So many months we dreamed of this day.  As we watched, suddenly at the same time we all thought, knowing Forrest, OH NO, Is he going to try to climb the  cliff ??? But as he neared the end of the beach, he slowly reached out his hand touched the cliff wall and turned back with Toliver at his side, and slowly but steadily started making his way back to us.  

Thank you all for helping make this week possible and for your belief and support in Forrest.

Graduation!!! 6/6/14

Yesterday at 6:00 pm Forrest and 263 other young men and women graduated from Kettle Run High School.  This was such an amazing milestone filled with overwhelming joy.  

Forrest and his faithful companion Toliver lead the graduates onto the track. We had a section in the stands filled with Team 44 members. We even came equipped with 2 banners, which Forrest noticed instantly and shared a smile! Forrest and Toliver were second in line to make their way across the stage, the stadium cheered in excitement.  As Forrest accepted his diploma from Principal Major Warner he recalls thinking “ I can’t believe this is happening!”  

Following the Graduation Team 44 members stormed the field to find Forrest & Toliver. Forrest’s mom was first to congratulate Forrest on his accomplishment. His proud mum shared with joy, “Forrest no more classes! You’re done with school!” Forrest shook his head no & said,  “Mom I still have college!”  Forrest you truly are a champion! We are so proud of your accomplishments! Onward & Upward!

Shayna

Graduation tonight!!!

The Kettle Run High School graduation ceremony will be outside tonight, so Forrest is able to have an unlimited number of family, friends and supporters in the stands.  Please join us if you can!  6pm, Kettle Run football stadium, Nokesville, VA.

6/4/14 Graduation is this Friday, June 6th! And "44" Rocked!

Forrest will graduate from Kettle Run High School this Friday 6/6 at 6:00 pm. The weather forecast is promising and the Ceremony is likely to be held in the Kettle Run football stadium.  IF it is held in the stadium, there will be plenty of room for all of Forrest's fans! Forrest, with Toliver at his side, will be first or second in the procession. The whole ceremony is expected to only take a little more than an hour.  We will confirm that it will be in the stadium tomorrow so please check back.  If it is moved inside there is only room for family :-(

When Forrest began at Kettle Run in 2012 he could not speak, stand up or walk unassisted.  He could only indicate yes or no  with one finger or two.  He could not yet type to communicate. But Kettle Run embraced his journey  and he embraced the goal to graduate from high school.  He could not have accomplished this without the faith and support of his friends and fans.  We hope that you will join us in the celebration, in person at Kettle Run High School or in spirit! Presents aren't necessary.  Your love and support are the gifts he treasures. 

Kettle Run High School

7403 Academic Ave

Nokesvilke, Va 

The first workshop reading of Forrest's musical "44" was a huge success last Sunday.   It is still so hard for Forrest to enunciate clearly and to  project his  voice. But with the encouragement and camaraderie of his cast members and Tom's coaching, he rose to the challenge and sang with gusto and joy.  The song Forrest wrote for his amazing brother, Austin (performed by Nathan) brought tears of gratitude; tears  for their special bond, Austin's unwavering devotion, and Forrest's hard won battles. 

We are overwhelmed by the talent, generosity, and compassion of Tom and his team at A Place To Be.  We hope that we can help give back by making the Kickstarter campaign for High Notes a huge success and sharing their amazing work with the world.   Here are some images from "44" :