Super Kid

Published 9:00 pm Monday, October 18, 2004

Overcoming obstacles: Has had two open-heart surgeries along with a variety of other operations and relies on a pacemaker. Two strokes as a child, including second one in kindergarten, left her with limited use of the right side of her body.

Career goals: Hopes to become a nurse and perhaps a cardiovascular technician. Time spent attending to her own medical needs pointed her toward her career path. “Because of the heart problems I have, I want to learn more about heart problems and help other people.”

Hard worker: Has worked hard to deal with physical and learning disabilities and has taken a mix of regular classes, special education and resource room courses, earning mostly A’s along the way. Courses now include second-year accounting and civics. Favorite class is home economics because she likes to cook, especially desserts, such as pumpkin bread and coffee cake.

Creative in crafts: Does crochet, embroidery and sewing despite limited use of one hand. Also learned keyboarding skills with one hand in ninth grade.

A good example: School counselor Penny Lee calls McGlinchy an inspiration. “You can’t tell her (she) can’t do something. She is going to show you that she can.”

Favorite part of school: Meeting with occupational therapist Kathleen Klingenberg and aide Mid Wilson. She has been receiving therapy since pre-school and has become close with both women. “We tease each other and make each other laugh.”

Away from school: Likes babysitting and movies. Favorite movie is “Monsters, Inc.”

Looks forward to June: Is ready for graduation in June. “In the summer, I was really excited and it seemed like it would go so fast. Now it seems like graduation will never come.”

Future plans: Goal is to attend community college next fall and eventually move with parents to Alaska.

Know a super kid? Contact us at 425-339-3036 or schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.