Love, Computers Help Adopted Girl Handle Handicaps

‘I have to go potty - now” says the electronic voice.

And, whoever is nearest to Dolly Wright, 6, springs into action.

Potty training has been a long time coming for the little girl from Bogota, Colombia.

Dolly was 17 months old when Ralph and Judi Wright brought her home to Priest River. She joined a family of five other adopted children - all with special needs - and the Wrights’ three biological children. Their ages range from 6 to 21.

Dolly’s computerized gizmo lets her communicate the basics: Is she happy? Sad? Hungry?

She wears a tube in her side for nourishment and flashes a dazzling smile to tell her family she loves them.

Dolly can’t speak or swallow and has no sense of smell. Doctors said that, due to her brain damage, she also would never walk.

Those doctors didn’t know about Judi Wright and her ability to love. And they didn’t know Dolly, who at 6 is about the size of a 4-year-old.

When Dolly was 2, the brightly lit Christmas tree in the Wrights’ foyer caught her attention. The toddler sat on the floor in the living room and began to scoot. She moved only a fraction of an inch at a time, so it took her two hours to reach the tree. Later she graduated to a wheelchair and then she really took off. At 5, she learned to crawl, and eight months ago, with the aid of a walker, she walked for the first time. Now, she can walk a short distance without the walker - and is quite pleased with herself.

“It’s the love in this family” that’s helped Dolly succeed, said Gail Crutcheon, R.N., and supervising nurse for Dolly’s home care. “She’s made the most tremendous strides and is progressing rapidly. Dolly’s left and right brain are not connected like other people’s. But now that she is healthy she’s just a kid.”

Dolly’s electronic voice comes from a keyboard equipped with pictures, instead of letters. The device is called the Liberator.

It can be programmed for different settings and will allow Dolly to attend first grade at Priest River Elementary School this fall. She’ll divide her time between special education and regular classes.

Judi Wright is a passionate believer in adoption of special needs children. “There is a home for every child,” she believes.

And, indeed the Wrights are expecting a new member of their family any day now - another 6-year-old.

As I drove down the gravel road from the Wrights’ house to the highway, I thought about this amazing little girl, her sparkling eyes radiating joy, and love - my own problems seemed to fade.

Rathdrum notes:

The tax rate for Rathdrum will not increase for the next budget year … Construction on the new lights at the intersection of state Highways 53 and 41 began earlier this week … There’s an opening on the Planning and Zoning Board due to the resignation of Al Stein … Street repairs will be done this year on Pine Street, Oneida, between Bingham and McCartney and on Manchester between Boxwood and Juniper … It’s that time of year again and crossing guards for Lakeland schools are needed, call Bob Moore at 687-1814. Remember, these are paying jobs.

MEMO: Kay Younkin grew up in Australia and moved to North Idaho years ago. Panhandle Pieces appears every Saturday. The column is shared among four North Idaho writers.