No expectations A friend is worth a thousand words

You know how they say a picture is worth a thousand words? So is a simple gesture or a small act of kindness - and two preschoolers at Eagle Grove Elementary are living proof that there are more ways to communicate than through the use of words.

Their story begins in Angie Anderson’s classroom where little Kayce Toliver (daughter of Jess and Tiffini Toliver) and Colt Crave (son of Amy and Ahren Craven) entered for their first day of school this past fall. Although they didn’t know it yet, their differences would soon bring them together to form a friendship that is unlike any other.

Kayce is a beautiful little girl with blonde hair and glasses...and on the autism spectrum and has PANDAS (short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. A child may be diagnosed with PANDAS when Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorders suddenly appear following a strep infection (such as strep throat or scarlet fever); or the symptoms of OCD or tic symptoms suddenly become worse following a strep infection). She also has been diagnosed with selective mutism which means that although she talks almost nonstop at home to her family, she doesn’t say a word in school because it’s not the surroundings she’s used to - it’s a case of high social anxiety. Her best friend Colt is a happy, active little guy with a heart of gold...and he has Down Syndrome.

For the full story, see this week's Eagle Grove Eagle. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.