Freddie Seitz - Fall 2003

My name is Freddie Seitz. I am eleven years old. I was born in Youngstown, OH, on Monday, July 20, 1992. I have two brothers, Jonathan and Robbie. Robbie is two years old and Jonathan is eight. I live in Poland, Ohio with my parents, and my brothers.

I have a Honda XR70 dirt bike and so does my brother. We like to ride when we come home from school. I like to ride my stunt bike too with my brother and go off of jumps. I also race in the All American Soapbox Derby.  It’s a lot of fun — the best part is going fast. I’m a Cub Scout and a second year Webelo with Pack 44. We do a lot of fun things at Scouts. I also like to play Flag Football. My team’s name is Funny Farm, which is the name of a comedy club in Youngstown.

I started a new school this year, where I’m a fifth grader. It was a little scary at first, but I like it, and all of the kids are really nice. I made a lot of new friends — many of them are in the sixth grade. They’re learning sign language so we can communicate easier. I am deaf and I am trying to teach the kids some signs.  My friends also talk to me by writing on a note pad that I carry with me.

I was born with Goldenhar syndrome and have had a lot of surgeries. We go to Dr. Kawamoto in Los Angeles for my surgeries in the summer. It’s not fun having the surgeries, but when we go to L.A. we get to visit a lot of  cool places. We’ve been to Disneyland and Legoland, where there are a lot of cool buildings made out of Legos.

I also belong to CCA. We go to parties with the group and have a lot of fun. Sometimes Cher comes too and brings a lot of cool things. I have a really good time seeing her at her concerts. She’s very nice to us, and if she reads this I want to tell her, “Thanks!”

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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