Travis Update

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February 24, 2000

On April 22nd, Travis will be 12 years old. His health has been good. In general, Travis has been off his feeding tube. Whether or not he uses the tube is determined by his weight and general health. He has been eating solid food and is growing taller all the time.

Here's an excerpt from a letter from filmmaker Richard Kotuk's sister Maggie who is a schoolteacher and very good friend to Travis and his family:

Just before Christmas last year, the ninth graders I teach in Sag Harbor N.Y. (Sag Harbor is an old whaling town, very quaint, little single family homes with white picket fences located just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean) asked if they could throw a party for Travis. I had just shown them Richard's film and they were mesmerized by it! I agreed that a party would be great. The kids did all the planning, cooking, baking, decorating. The party was held in the school library and on the day, before anyone knew it, the entire high school, not just the ninth grade, was crammed into the library to greet Travis and [his cousin] Monique. The music was put on, the food put out on long tables, the games abounded and the children greeted, hugged and laughed with Travis and Monique. Some kids took them on tours of the building; showing them the computer room, the industrial arts room (i.e. the shop) the art room, and so on. Everyone loved the visit.

The next day, our first day off for the vacation, Travis, Monique and I threw another party for ninth and tenth graders at my farm. Travis used to visit me when Richard was alive and so he knows all the horses by name and he knows the lay of the land. He was now the tour guide. The little kid from the South Bronx gave the country kids the sweetest welcome. When Travis and Monique left, they said they would love to go to school out here. Everyone was just so wonderful, warm and welcoming.

Travis lives with his Aunt Rita and her husband and their teenage daughter Nezzy. Travis is not happy there but when everything is said and done, he is getting the medical care that he depends on and he has his extended family. Every Sunday, the whole family - with all the cousins - get together for potluck supper. I know that their Sundays are fun!

I will always do my best, of course, to stay in touch with Travis and his cousins. I will always have the children come out to visit the country. I am now known as "Aunt Maggie".

Travis is the most socially adept person I known...Really. He walks into a room, and the place lights up! Did you see the tape from the Peabody Awards? There was the longest standing ovation...800 of the most successful people in the media standing for Travis.

Travis is still not in school. He is being tutored once a day for an hour. The family is worried that Travis will get hurt in a New York City public school. I also think that they are trying to find a safe and professional school. Travis needs to be in school but I agree that the school has to be the right one and a safe place.

Travis update November 2002
Travis update October 18, 1999