Cerebellar agenesis is an extremely rare condition. Cerebellar agenesis is a descriptive term implying complete absence of the cerebellum, irrespective of its underlying cause (etiology). Usually, small remnants of the cerebellum are present; therefore the term subtotal cerebellar agenesis is also used in the literature. It is now recognized that cerebellar agenesis can represent a primary disturbance of embryonic development (also called malformation), but it can also result from a secondary destruction of normally developed tissue (also called a disruption). (See the Causes section in the link below for additional information). It is now established that the cerebellum is not only responsible for motor coordination (of muscles, the trunk and limbs, the tongue, and the eye muscles), but also plays an important role in many non-motor functions, including learning, memory, language, and behavior. Therefore, individuals with congenital as well as acquired cerebellar disorders often have learning disabilities, impaired executive functions, and variable degree of cognitive impairments.
For more information, follow this link to NORD
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/cerebellar-agenesis/
Tuesday, 2 January 2018
Monday, 1 January 2018
Luke's MRI
Here is a picture of my brain compared to a "normal" brain.
This is what a normal brain looks like with a cerebellum:
This is my brain - showing the cavity where the cerebellum should be:
This is what a normal brain looks like with a cerebellum:
This is my brain - showing the cavity where the cerebellum should be:
Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Luke's official Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcvTAZV6x6k1PO4IaER95Q
Check out my broadcast from my PlayStation 4! #PS4live (Assassin's Creed® Origins) live at
Sunday, 17 September 2017
College here I come
September 2017, I started on a journey that many thought might never come, I started college. I am going to St. Lawrence College taking courses in the General Arts and Science faculty. I will concentrate on computer courses. I am enrolled in the CICE program (Community Integration through Cooperative Education).
I am living on my own in residence. At first I thought this would be scary as I never thought I would be living on my own, but I am. I go to my classes, eat in the cafeteria and do my daily living without the help of others. I do have learning specialists who attend classes with me, who scribe and help make sure I accomplish everything I need to, to be successful in college. This has been a huge step in my life and I am very proud of my accomplishments to date.
I am off - the car was packed with my things and I made sure to take my computer with me so I could play my video games when I was not in class or doing homework.
My residence room. I have a nice size room with lots of space for my computer and of course my extra food. The fridge and microwave are great for me to make food when the cafeteria is closed. Especially to make a snack before going to sleep.
I am now a college student and I know my way around the campus.
I am living on my own in residence. At first I thought this would be scary as I never thought I would be living on my own, but I am. I go to my classes, eat in the cafeteria and do my daily living without the help of others. I do have learning specialists who attend classes with me, who scribe and help make sure I accomplish everything I need to, to be successful in college. This has been a huge step in my life and I am very proud of my accomplishments to date.
I am off - the car was packed with my things and I made sure to take my computer with me so I could play my video games when I was not in class or doing homework.
My residence room. I have a nice size room with lots of space for my computer and of course my extra food. The fridge and microwave are great for me to make food when the cafeteria is closed. Especially to make a snack before going to sleep.
I am now a college student and I know my way around the campus.
Thursday, 29 June 2017
High School Graduation
High School Graduation
June 29, 2017
High school graduation was a real big day for me - I completed the 30 credits necessary to earn my Ontario High School Diploma - I also made the highest mark in my grade 12 World History course and was awarded the School Council award for being one of the most improved students. The award came with a cheque for $300. I worked very hard to achieve this milestone and proved that even though I was born without a cerebellum, it did not stop me from doing what all other students do - earn a high school diploma.
June 29, 2017
High school graduation was a real big day for me - I completed the 30 credits necessary to earn my Ontario High School Diploma - I also made the highest mark in my grade 12 World History course and was awarded the School Council award for being one of the most improved students. The award came with a cheque for $300. I worked very hard to achieve this milestone and proved that even though I was born without a cerebellum, it did not stop me from doing what all other students do - earn a high school diploma.
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Swimming - May 2017
Swim Meet - May 2017
Walter Baker Pool - Nepean, Ontario
Taking part in the Special Olympics Swim meet at school has been something I've done since I was in grade 7. In May 2017, I competed in my final race as a high school student and although it was much harder this year because I had not been taking regular swimming lessons I was very proud of my placing third in the 100m freestyle swim. I swam for Sacred Heart High School.
Walter Baker Pool - Nepean, Ontario
Taking part in the Special Olympics Swim meet at school has been something I've done since I was in grade 7. In May 2017, I competed in my final race as a high school student and although it was much harder this year because I had not been taking regular swimming lessons I was very proud of my placing third in the 100m freestyle swim. I swam for Sacred Heart High School.
Thursday, 16 March 2017
Myers' Amazing Kid Award
Watch the video:
Luke Savoie - Myers' Amazing Kid Award
This was a very big surprise for me to receive this award. I don't think of myself as special but I just do what I do because I don't really know any different. Living with a disability can either get you down or it can make you stronger - for me - it has made me more determined to prove that I can do things that the doctors and others may have thought I was not capable of accomplishing.
Luke Savoie - Myers' Amazing Kid Award
This was a very big surprise for me to receive this award. I don't think of myself as special but I just do what I do because I don't really know any different. Living with a disability can either get you down or it can make you stronger - for me - it has made me more determined to prove that I can do things that the doctors and others may have thought I was not capable of accomplishing.
Friday, 11 November 2016
Remembrance Day Monologue
November 11, 2016
I took drama in high school and in my final year, I was part of the Remembrance Day service that my drama class prepared. I had a monologue where I was a soldier from WWI who now suffers from PTSD. I was not nervous doing this because I practiced my part every day.
I was very proud of my performance because many thought I might never be able to memorize all the lines.
My Monologue:
Luke's monologue
(my mom recorded my monologue but ran out of memory before I completed the final sentence, but you can hear most of my speech.)
I took drama in high school and in my final year, I was part of the Remembrance Day service that my drama class prepared. I had a monologue where I was a soldier from WWI who now suffers from PTSD. I was not nervous doing this because I practiced my part every day.
I was very proud of my performance because many thought I might never be able to memorize all the lines.
My Monologue:
(my mom recorded my monologue but ran out of memory before I completed the final sentence, but you can hear most of my speech.)
Scene 9:
Luke: My name is Dylan Romero, I was a canadian soldier during WW1. I now suffer from PTSD, and this is what I go through everyday.
No Wounds upon my body,
No scars that you can find,
Just hurt from wars fought long ago
implanted in my mind
No outward signs of injury,
No telltale signs of pain,
Only flashbacks and the nightmares
Time and Time again.
But all’s not lost for us old friend
(Other soldiers begin to join him)
There are those that understand
Just let them lead us through the darkness
Go with them hand in hand
All: Please don't forget us. In world war 1 there were over 38 million casualties.
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Second Co-Op Plaement
School year 2016 - 2017
In grade 12, I continued to take part in the CO-OP program at school. By doing CO-OP I was able to earn credits towards my high school diploma. I completed a two-credit CO-OP in grade 11 and knew from my CO-OP experience I wanted to do more CO-OP placements. I knew CO-OP would help me earn valuable experience that I could take to the work force when I graduated from high school..
I did not want to go back to the grocery store where I had my placement in Grade 11 but the options I had were very limited and I stressed to my teacher that I would like to work someplace where they sold video games and electronic equipment. My CO-OP teacher managed to get me an interview with Vhing at Best Buy in Kanata. I was really excited to go to this interview and was ready for any question that was asked. I did the interview and was told I could start the next week. I was so excited as this was going to be a dream CO-OP placement. - it WAS! I now know that I want to work with electronics and video games in the future so this placement was the best place for me.
In grade 12, I continued to take part in the CO-OP program at school. By doing CO-OP I was able to earn credits towards my high school diploma. I completed a two-credit CO-OP in grade 11 and knew from my CO-OP experience I wanted to do more CO-OP placements. I knew CO-OP would help me earn valuable experience that I could take to the work force when I graduated from high school..
I did not want to go back to the grocery store where I had my placement in Grade 11 but the options I had were very limited and I stressed to my teacher that I would like to work someplace where they sold video games and electronic equipment. My CO-OP teacher managed to get me an interview with Vhing at Best Buy in Kanata. I was really excited to go to this interview and was ready for any question that was asked. I did the interview and was told I could start the next week. I was so excited as this was going to be a dream CO-OP placement. - it WAS! I now know that I want to work with electronics and video games in the future so this placement was the best place for me.
Friday, 15 January 2016
First Co-Op Placement
School year 2015-2016
In grade 11, I wanted to take the co-op program which I knew would help prepare me for the future. I had an interview at our local grocery store and landed my co-op at Brown's. In my job I stocked shelves and assisted customers.
When I completed my co-op placement at the grocery store, the manager gave me a beautiful gift basket filled with lots of goodies.
In grade 11, I wanted to take the co-op program which I knew would help prepare me for the future. I had an interview at our local grocery store and landed my co-op at Brown's. In my job I stocked shelves and assisted customers.
Thursday, 3 December 2015
Grade 10 English Award
I always try to do my best and I was really surprised when I received the award for English in Grade 10. The school had an award's ceremony where I was presented with my certificate,
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Water Skiing - trying stand up skis
Summer -2015
During the summer of 2015, I became very confident on the sit ski and so I wanted to experience water skiing standing up on skis. This was not as easy as I thought, but I gave it a good try and the volunteers with CADS were very patient with me. My legs were strong enough to stand on the skis but with my balance I was not able to control the skis against the strength of the water. But I gave it a good try and I am very proud of myself for trying.
See, I did it. I was almost doing it on my own, but I have to admit this was one of the hardest things I tried, but I am proud to say I got up on the skis and managed to stay up for a bit.
During the summer of 2015, I became very confident on the sit ski and so I wanted to experience water skiing standing up on skis. This was not as easy as I thought, but I gave it a good try and the volunteers with CADS were very patient with me. My legs were strong enough to stand on the skis but with my balance I was not able to control the skis against the strength of the water. But I gave it a good try and I am very proud of myself for trying.
See, I did it. I was almost doing it on my own, but I have to admit this was one of the hardest things I tried, but I am proud to say I got up on the skis and managed to stay up for a bit.
Monday, 10 November 2014
My first part-time job
November 2014
My first job was working at MacDonald's. I prepared my resume with the help from my mom and applied for the job at our local MacDonald's. I was nervous when I went for the interview but my brother helped prepare me by putting me through a mock interview. My brother worked at MacDonald's and knew what type of questions I would be asked. I worked hard to make sure I was really prepared for the position and I got the job.
Before I could start I had to go through a training period where I had to do some on-line tests for WHIMS and safety in the work place. I did not find this hard because we had practiced these tests in my career's course at school.
My first job was working at MacDonald's. I prepared my resume with the help from my mom and applied for the job at our local MacDonald's. I was nervous when I went for the interview but my brother helped prepare me by putting me through a mock interview. My brother worked at MacDonald's and knew what type of questions I would be asked. I worked hard to make sure I was really prepared for the position and I got the job.
Before I could start I had to go through a training period where I had to do some on-line tests for WHIMS and safety in the work place. I did not find this hard because we had practiced these tests in my career's course at school.
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