Meaghan Palmer - Winter 2011

Ten-year-old Meaghan Palmer lives in a small town in north-central Massachusetts. She’s in the fourth grade and really loves her science classes. Meaghan is fascinated with electricity in particular. In fact, her brother gave her a potato science kit last Christmas, and she has had a lot of fun making things run by spud power.

Meaghan is also a member of her school’s band. She’s focusing on percussion this year, specifically drums and bells. She received individual instruction on these instruments last fall, and during the spring she practices with her band mates. There’s even a special performance at the end of the academic year. Good luck, Meaghan!

As for other school subjects, Meaghan likes going to gym class. She plays a variety of games, including battleship, where you use giant pompons to knock down bowling pins. Outside of gym, she plays basketball, and she participates in drills and unofficial, just-for-fun games at her local parks and recreation center..

Meaghan has a lot of hobbies, too. She’s into collecting nutcrackers and anything having to do with Rudolph. She has collected Webkinz cards but is now concentrating on American Girl animals. Meaghan also likes to model things with clay. She made a cat and a monkey, which at the moment reside in her room.

Her favorite movie at the moment is Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid: #2). She also watches all kinds of cooking shows, including Chopped and Ace of Cakes, and is a pretty good cook herself.

Meaghan’s pet, Moxie, is a black, long-haired rescue cat that will only play with her. Moxie misses her so much when Meaghan is away. In fact, the poor cat “acts out” all around the house until she gets back.

Meaghan was born with Goldenhar syndrome and last June she attended her first CCA retreat. She met a lot of people and looks forward to seeing them again and meeting new folks at future retreats. Schedule permitting, she’ll be at this year’s retreat in Louisville, Kentucky.

Meaghan has some good advice for other CCA kids. When going to the hospital, she said, “Be sure to bring lots of your favorite foods as well as a special stuffed animal.” Plus, when they’re trying to get an IV in your arm, “always ask for numbing cream.” (Good idea.) And, of course, have your mom stay with you.

If you would like to share your story with CCA, please send an email to Annie Reeves at areeves@ccakids.com. If your story is chosen, with your permission, we will edit and publish it in the CCA newsletter, on the Web site or use it for public awareness programs. Not all stories will be selected.

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