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Spridget Therapy

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SaxMan

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As some of you may have read in my intro, I have a 10 year old daughter with autism / apraxia (non verbal) and one of the reasons I chose to purchase an LBC was because of her reaction when we had rented a convertible previously.

My daughter gets private speech therapy once per week in Westminster, Maryland, about 30 miles one way from our house. Last Thursday was a beautiful enough of a day that I decided to do the run in the Sprite for the first time, which my daughter thoroughly enjoyed. This particular therapist has been working with our daughter for nearly 3 years and has made very good progress with her. At the end of this particular session, she came out and said that of all the sessions that she has done with her, this was the best session ever. I quickly pointed out that this was the first time I brought the convertible, Was this a coincidence? I think not. (My daughter also is on some new meds, but I still think the Sprite played a big role). We went out on an errand today to the auto parts store (which she loves) and then drove around for a bit. The whole time, my daughter was "plugged in", instead of off in her own world. It was a very rewarding drive.

It occurred to me just how perfect LBCs are for kids with special needs. You can get all kinds of sensory input from them: they growl, they snort, they smell, they bounce around and of course, the whole top down experience. For some of the higher functioning kids, these cars are so easy to work on, you could probably teach them a real-life skill. There are so many different therapies out there for kids with autism (horseback riding, swimming, interpretive art, just to name a few)...why not LBC therapy?
 
How uplifting to hear and certainly for you to experience. I hope it continues to be that kind of positive stimuli.
 
That's a great result of owning a little British sports car. I can't think of anything more important than our kids. One of our grand kids has some sensory issues. It takes a lot of love and patience to deal with these things but it's so well-worth it. I'm sure you agree.
A few of us here are racers involved in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) which exists as a fundraiser for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the related Allegheny Valley School.

One of the people who started this event was Pittsburgh radio personality Myron Cope, who had a child with autism. My wife was one of the first counselors for Mr. Cope's son (in the mid 70s) so the event has a personal connection with us.

One of our forum members, Michael Oritt (who lives in Saint Leonard, MD), always participates in the track rides program held at the PVGP (I can't .....my racer doesn't have two seats). Here's a video Michael made a few years ago when he gave one of the kids from the Allegheny Valley School a track ride .

~Mitchell's Ride~
 
The Sprite went 2 for 2 today with my daughter's speech therapy. I took her there on a dreary, overcast day with temps hovering in the high 50s to 60 degrees. It was chilly, but my daughter walked away with another great session. She went the previous week in my wife's Corolla and had an "okay" session. So, we've proven it wasn't a coincidence. On the way home, I opened the trap doors to warm up the passenger compartment a bit. It definitely was more comfortable, but my hands still got really cold. The clouds parted enough for us to see a spectacular sunset, only to run into the first drops of rain another 15 miles down the road. Fortunately, we were close enough to home that I just drove the the sprinkles with the top down.

Now it's got my wife thinking that maybe she should learn stick and start driving the Sprite. Either that, or maybe trade the Corolla in for something like a Solara, a convertible the whole family can ride in. (Back seats do come in handy). Personally, I was thinking we keep the Corolla and have "His & Her" Spridgets. I don't think that's going to fly, though.

Were there any LBCs that came with (gasp) automatic transmission?
 
Triumph Stag - seating for four too. I suspect that may be my "I can't fit in the Midget anymore" convertible
 
I finally had a chance to watch "Mitchell's Ride" video -- and that is pretty much what my daughter does, accompanied by laughter or an excited scream. She rocks back and forth, but she also will look around the full panorama - cranking her head around as well as looking upwards. And sometimes she just sits back on the seat, closes her eyes while the wind rushes through her hair.

Boy, a Spridget can get pretty loud with a racing exhaust!
 
There are MGB roadsters with automatics but they're sort of rare. And at times, we have considered getting a used Miata automatic (pretty common) for my wife. My daily driver is a 5-speed Miata. Many of us here have Miatas as well as British sports cars. Only two seats but otherwise, excellent cars!
 
I uploaded a couple of the pics that I snapped yesterday with the cell phone camera.

The Sprite parked outside the speech therapist's office in Westminster. Generally, I put the top up when leaving the car unattended.

IMG_20131009_173657_505 by onyxsax, on Flickr

I tried to snap a picture of my daughter smiling, but all I got was the "open mouth" look...and an awful lot of windblown hair!

IMG_20131009_184622_817b by onyxsax, on Flickr

We were treated to a spectacular sunset on the way home. This was taken at the intersection of Routes 26 & 27 in Taylorsville:

IMG_20131009_184632_024 by onyxsax, on Flickr
 
Wow, what a great looking Sprite!
 
longbridgehealey said:
Wow, what a great looking Sprite!
Click to expand...

You ought to see the Bugeye that the previous owner has. I've heard it's a show winner. :smile-new:

She really cleaned up nicely, didn't she?
 
SaxMan said:
The Sprite parked outside the speech therapist's office in Westminster. Generally, I put the top up when leaving the car unattended.
Click to expand...

great pic! I hope you leave the car unlocked. I always l lock when top down and unlock when up - then no one is tempted to cut the top OR they look awkward trying to get in - not much of a system but I figure it helps
 
JPSmit said:
great pic! I hope you leave the car unlocked. I always l lock when top down and unlock when up - then no one is tempted to cut the top OR they look awkward trying to get in - not much of a system but I figure it helps
Click to expand...

Yes. I learned that trick from a Miata owner. Leave nothing in the car that would make someone want to break in, but leave the doors open. Better that they open a door than cut through the top.
 
Hey SaxMan... thank your for being such a kick ass Dad and an inspiration to other dads like me.
 
Hey your Sprite looks exactly like the Brand New 1968 Sprite my friend Tony received as a graduation present from High School We had soooooooo much fun in that car the first two years at the University of Cincinnati that I'm surprised that the two of us graduated on time. That why when I decided to have a mid-life crisis in 1998, post divorce by several years, I bought Bugsy my 1968 Sprite. He never looked that good but I remember what Tony's Sprite was like new and going around corners at far too great a speed, backfiring on deceleration due to a malfunctioning Gulp Valve, and 3 broken half shafts in the first 12 months. Let's just say Tony was not gentle to his Sprite. Hmmm Class of 1968 45th Reunion tomorrow night in Cincinnati. Going to get to see Tony once again and I know the topic of his Sprite will come up once again.
 
Well, even with aggressive driving your here to tell... Jim and Tony... I have a similar story.... Thank God we had a forgiving car that didn't roll over without a bar, but rather spun out and scared the **** out of us..haha
 
She truly did clean up great. We always knew there was a gem lurking in that car. That's why it was difficult to part with her. But, as you said, the Bugeye has some good points, too!
 
With yesterday's temperatures getting into the low 70s, and school being off for an in-service day, it was the perfect time to break out the Sprite:

Here, Jessica is dreaming of the day she can drive Baby Blue:

DSC_0112a by onyxsax, on Flickr

What do you mean I'm going to have to wait another SIX years?

DSC_0119 by onyxsax, on Flickr
 
Sunbeam made some automatic Alpines. Add them to your "possibilities" list.
 
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