FLINT MILLION:
The Story of a Legally Blind, Computer-using, 
Piano-playing Adopted Child who was Born in 
South Korea

WRITTEN BY Flint Million, 8th grade, age 13.



DEDICATION:
I dedicate this book to my mom and dad, who have 
given me a lot of exciting adventures during my
lifetime.



Introduction

	HI! My name is Flint Dewey Million and I am thirteen years old. I was born on May 14, 1983 in South Korea.  I weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and measured 1 foot 8 inches at birth. I arrived in the USA on June 29, 1984.  Currently I live at 316 Hubbell Ave. in Mankato, Minnesota with my mom, my dad, my dog Missy, my cat Summer and a few computers. I can also be reached via E-mail at dmillion@aol.com. 
	In this autobiography I will be discussing my ancestors and presenting some detailed family trees. I will be writing about my parents and recounting how they met and fell in love. The details of my adoption and how I came to the USA will be revealed. I will be telling my readers about my school life including my experiences as a blind student.  This will also include my science fair participation, my computer use and my friends. My readers will learn all about the many fun vacations and summer adventures I have been a part of. I will recall the awful time I broke my arm. I also intend to tell some stories about my pets. In addition there will be an incredible tale of how my parents and I discovered a relative that we never knew existed.  Now please sit back, turn on some soft music, get comfortable, and turn the page. You’re about to enter the exciting world of Flint Million’s life.



My Ancestors 

	IT has been a very interesting project looking into my ancestral tree. It's been amazing to see how many people fit into my tree.  In order to find the information for this chapter I had to contact lots of family members including my parents, grandmothers, aunts and cousins. Since then I have constantly been adding new information into the family tree.  
	My mom's great grandmother, Mary Cooperman, was born in Russia and she traveled by boat to the United States in the early 1900's with her parents and seven brothers and sisters. The trip took months. Unfortunately, conditions on the boat were not very good and the two youngest children died before reaching the USA. Mary and her family settled in New York City.  Eventually Mary married David Cohen and they had one daughter Bessie Cohen. When Bessie was 18 she married Ruben Neigeborn. They had one daughter, Thelma, who ultimately became my grandmother. Thelma eloped with Meyer Toonkel in 1949. They had three children. My mother Maureen was their oldest child.
	My mom's great grandfather, Samuel Neigeborn, came to the United States from Austria where he lived as a child. He settled in New York City where he got married and had a family. His son, Ruben Neigeborn, eventually married my great grandmother, Bessie Cohen.
	The Toonkel name is from my mom's father's side of the family. My mom's grandfather, Frank Toonkel traveled to the United States in the 1900's from his native Russia. Frank had some relatives in New York City who started a plumbing supply company. They gave him a job and helped him find an apartment. After saving up some money he was able to afford to bring his wife, Rebecca, to New York from where he had left her in Russia.  Rebecca was a young woman and she traveled all alone on a boat for many months. At one point she was let off in Alaska and told that it was New York. After Rebecca moved to New York, she and Frank had a son Meyer Toonkel. Meyer became employed as a plumber. He lived only three blocks from Thelma Neigeborn, so that is how they met. 
	Two names have been prominent on my father's side, Million and Cyr. My grandfather, Charles Guy Million, was born in Illinois and I understand that there are a lot of Millions in Illinois and Kentucky. Some of the Millions who lived in the South were plantation owners. As was common in those days slaves took the surname of their owners. As a result there are some black people in the south with the last name of Million. Charles eventually moved to Duluth, Minnesota where he worked for the Power and Light Company. There he met Dorothy Cyr. Both had children from previous marriages. Together they eventually ended up with a family of ten children. My dad, Dennis, was the second youngest.   
	The Cyr family can be traced back to the 1800's when they were French Canadians living in the Quebec province. I have not yet been able to find out the name of my great great great grandfather Cyr and I have labeled him as unknown Cyr in my family tree. I did find out that this unknown Cyr had a brother who had two children. One of those children was Louis Cyr, who at one time was known as the Strongest Man Who Ever Lived. So that means that Louis Cyr was my great great great great cousin.
	All in all I have found that I am part of a very interesting family. It is my goal to continue searching into my family history. I hope to be able to prepare a short biography on each member in my family tree complete with as many photos as possible.



All About My Parents

	MY parents have had several experiences before and after they met.
	My dad, Dennis Million, comes from a family of ten children. The family lived in Duluth, Minnesota. He had a twin brother named Dewey. They were born three months premature and were given 100% oxygen in the incubators. This caused them to become blind. They attended the Minnesota Braille & Sight Saving School in Faribault. My Dad and Dewey were both really good wrestlers and track stars. In 1959 they were voted outstanding athletes of the year for the state of Minnesota. My dad used to bend horse shoes, push freight cars, lift cars off the ground and bend steel bars. Later on he found out that he had a great great cousin, Louis Cyr, who at one time was considered the strongest man whoever lived.
	My mom, Maureen Toonkel, grew up in New York City. She lived only a few blocks from the famous Bronx Zoo as a child and she went there every Sunday to feed bread to the animals. In high school my mom was the news editor for the school newspaper and she won a award from the New York City Classical Association for being one of the best Latin in New York City. My mom was a volunteer in the eye clinic at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx while she attended college. After graduating from college in 1976 she decided to go to Mankato, Minnesota to earn a master's degree. She was only going to stay in Minnesota for one year but, lucky for her and me, things happened different then she planned.
	My parents met at Services for the Blind. My mom had just completed her master's degree and was hired as a rehabilitation counselor in January 1978. My dad was in a master's degree program and he began an internship in September, 1978 at Services for the Blind where my mom was working. They became instant friends. At the time my dad was in the process of getting a divorce from his first wife, Elaine.  My parents never really had a first date as they were co-workers and spent a lot of work time together.  They bought the house that we still live in right before they got married. They had their wedding right in their new house. They were married on Saturday, December 8, 1979. They went on their honeymoon in April, 1980. New York City and Niagara Falls, Canada was their choice for the perfect honeymoon. 
	My parents enjoy pen paling and they have about 200 pen pals who live all over the world. They took a trip to England and Israel to meet some of their pen pals. A few of their pen pals have come to the USA to visit them. They still enjoy traveling and as a result I have gotten to go on a lot of fun vacations. 
	And, lucky for me, my parents decided to adopt a child: me.



Arriving in the U.S.A.

	I WAS born at Kim Yong Kyung's Gyn & Obs.,  in Busan, South Korea at 6:08 PM on May 14, 1983. I weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 1 foot 8 inches long. The Social Worker at the Social Welfare Society gave me the name Kyung Sub Ahn after I was born. The name Kyung means auspicious and the name Sub means harmonious. I moved from The Social Welfare Society in Busan to the Social Welfare Society Baby's Reception Home in Seoul on May 19, 1983. I developed indigestion and was hospitalized at Han Suh Hospital on July 12, 1983.  I became very sick with diarrhea and a severe cough and was hospitalized again from October 29 to November 2, 1983. When I left the hospital I moved to a foster home, however I liked staying up all night and the foster mother did not like that. After only a week or so I was placed in a new foster home. My new foster mother was Ok Ryeo Kim. she trained me to go to bed at 11 PM and to wake up at 7 AM. I took two naps a day. I stayed in this home until my adoption.
	While I lived in Korea I was given one bottle (280cc) of milk mixed with some rice gruel and vitamins every four hours.  I also had one spoon of rice mixed with soup three times a day.  My favorite snack foods were cookies and tomatoes. I slept on the floor with the other foster children and my foster parents. It was reported that I had a loud voice as an infant. My first words were Um-ma (mama) and Ab-pa (daddy). I would say these words when I was hugged. Other first words that I said were Mamma (food) and Oebuba (I want to be carried on someone's back).	My favorite early games were the baby's hand clapping game and hand grabbing game.
	Mom and Dad first learned about me on April 13, 1984 from Children's Home Society in St. Paul. They first saw my photo on April 14, 1984 and they accepted the referral on April 16, 1984. They signed the acceptance papers on April 20, 1984. My parents were notified on Wednesday June 27, 1984 that I would be coming on Friday. My parents celebrated the news by having a pizza party. The first people they notified were my grandparents.
	I came to the USA from South Korea, arriving at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Gate 31, Red Concourse, Northwest Airlines, flight #437 on Friday June 29, 1984 at 5 PM. I was 13 months old. I traveled on the plane with a social worker from South Korea. The trip was 17 hours. I flew from South Korea to Tokyo, Japan and then to Chicago, IL where I went through customs. Then I flew to Minnesota.	Mom held me first, then Aunt Ruth, and then Dad. We went to Aunt Ruth and Uncle Burrell's house in New Brighton and slept over. I had jet lag and woke everyone up at 3 AM. The next day we headed home to Mankato. On the way we stopped for lunch at Baker's Square in Edina where we met one of mom and dad's friends, Lynette Wenner. At home that first afternoon I took a ride in my stroller for the first time.
	My parents had to wait six months before they could legally adopt me. We had to go before a judge on Novemeber 13, 1984 at the Blue Earth County Courthouse in Mankato. At the same time that my adoption was legalized, Judge Mason allowed my parents to legally change my name to Flint Dewy Million. I was named Flint after my great grandfather, Frank Toonkel, and Dewey after my dad's twin brother Dewey who had died. We celebrated my adoption by going to Little Caesar's for pizza and salad.
	I became a US citizen on April 10, 1985 at the Federal Court House in St. Paul, Minnesota. My parents tell me that I had to raise my right hand and take an oath. I don't remember this. I was given a small USA flag by the court and I've been told that I enjoyed waving it around. 
	After arriving in the USA I had my first exam with my new doctor, Dr. Anthony Giefer on July 5, 1984. On that date I weighed 22 pounds and was 33 inches tall. I had my very first eye exam on July 20, 1984. Dr. John Hoines prescribed my very first glasses which I started wearing in August 1984. My first tooth came while I was still in Korea in February 1984. After arriving in the USA, my first tooth came in on July 4, 1984. My parents report that I first stood alone on  November 17, 1984 and I first walked on January 5, 1985. Another first for me was drinking from a cup alone on August 18, 1984. When I lived in Korea my hair was kept fairly long and sometimes I had a small pony tail. I had my first haircut in Mankato on July 18, 1984. Apparently I didn't like that too much and I cried a lot. I went swimming for the first time at Madison Lake in Bray Park on July 11, 1984.
	I still spoke some Korean when I first came to the USA however after awhile I stopped talking altogether. It wasn't until August 1985 that I said my first English word: light. I had my first visit and photo with Santa Claus on November 23, 1984 at the Mankato Mall. My parents tell me that I didn't have much interest in becoming potty trained. They began potty training on April 3, 1985 but it took until July, 1985 before I figured it all out. My parents changed my bedtime to 8:30 PM and I usually woke up at 7:30 - 8 AM. My nap time was always 1 PM - 2 PM.
	My grandmother Thelma Toonkel came to see me on July 1, 1984 and she stayed until July 13, 1984. It is sad that my Great Grandmother Bessie died on August 6, 1984 before she got to meet me. We went to New York City from August 8, to August 13 for the funeral. While in New York I got to meet a lot of my relatives for the first time including my Grandfather Meyer Toonkel, my Aunt Luba, my Uncle Katsumi and my Uncle David. Unfortunately it turned out to be the only time I would see my grandfather. He died on February 22, 1985. We went to New York for from February 24 to March 3 for the funeral. On the way home to Mankato we got stuck in snow storm and our plane was forced to land in Grand Forks, ND where we were put up in a hotel overnight. I got to meet my other grandmother, Dorothy Million when we drove to Albuquerque, NM in September 1985.



A Hidden Family Member ...
Unexpectedly Revealed!

	IN July of 1996 a hidden member of the family was revealed. My parents and I took a vacation to Washington DC. While there we visited the Vietnam War Memorial.  My Mom had wanted to look up the soldier (Mitchell Lane) who's name is on the MIA (Missing In Action) bracelet that she wore during the war. After locating Mitchell Lane's name, my dad wanted to look up his last name, Million, to see if anyone by that name was listed. There was one Million listed who was from Kentucky. Then my dad suggested that we look up my Mom's last name, Toonkel. My Mom said that she was sure that there were no Toonkels listed as she had never known of any Toonkels who were in the war. But we did look it up and we were quite surprised to find the name of Benjamin Richard Toonkel listed. 
	We took a picture of his name on the wall. Later that day Grandma Toonkel and Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi met us in Washington DC.  My Mom asked Grandma Toonkel if she knew who Benjamin was and she said no.  When we got home from Washington DC, we checked our E-Mail and there was a letter from someone named Becky Toonkel. We had never heard of her. Becky was checking the America On Line directory to see if any Toonkels were listed and she came across my Mom's name, Maureen Toonkel. She wrote to my Mom to find out if they were related. My Mom wrote back to Becky giving her the details of our family and relatives. Mom told her about finding Benjamin's name on the Vietnam War Memorial and asked her if she know who he was. Becky wrote back and told us that we were definitely related. She had asked her 80 year old aunt about Benjamin and found out that Benjamin was my grandfather's son by a former wife. This was a total shock to Mom. She was quite surprised to learn that her father had a former wife and that Benjamin was her brother. She did not have a clue that her father had been married before.  Mom called her Uncle Milty (her father's brother) and asked him. He told Mom that it was true. He also gave us another shock when he told Mom that her father had another former wife and a daughter. 
	We called Grandma Toonkel and spoke to her but at first she denied knowing that my Grandfather had been married before or had children. She has since admitted that she knew that Grandfather was married twice before and had two children. However she says that she did not know the wives' or children's names. She also said that she did not know that Benjamin died. She now will not talk about all this. With Becky's help we were able to locate Benjamin's mother, Flo Blank who lives in Bronx, NY not far from Grandma's house. Mom wrote to Flo and asked her if would be OK if we called her. Flo agreed and my Mom spoke with her for an hour. She was very nice and we learned a lot about Benjamin. 
	It turns out that Flo always called him Dick or Dickie. He was shot while on a patrol in Vietnam. We hope to be able to travel to New York soon and visit Flo.  
	However, it was quite shocking to find out about more family members that I never knew existed!



My Life in School

	I BEGAN eighth grade at Dakota Meadows Middle School earlier this year. I’ve been to Roosevelt Elementary school, Garfield Elementary, and I started at Dakota Meadows Middle school last year. Next year I’ll be going to West high school.
	Before elementary school I went to three different preschools. First I went to the Open Arms preschool. After that I attended Partners & Care, but I ended up at the Children’s House preschool.
	Since kindergarten, I’ve been attending school in District 77.
	I attended Roosevelt Elementary School from kindergarten through fifth grade. The names of my homeroom teachers were: Mrs. Obernolte  (Kindergarten), Mrs. Houston (1st grade), Mrs. Hanson (2nd grade), Mrs. Ruby (3rd grade), Mrs. Graham (4th grade), and Mrs. Friday (5th grade.) 
	I broke bones in my body twice during my attendance at Roosevelt. I broke my collar bone in first grade. In second grade I broke my arm, and you’ll be reading about that later.
	I also participated in the science fair in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. You can read more about that in the chapter called The Scientist Side of Flint Million.
	In 5th grade I became the Student Council Vice President. My campaign speech was a song, sung to the tune of ‘Downtown’. Of course, I played it on the piano. The entire school applauded.
	The next year I went to Garfield Elementary School for one year. It was my 6th grade year. My teacher there was named Mrs. Bell. I also had Mrs. Bell for English. For a while that year I was also in an advanced math class.
	Sixth grade really marked my usage of computers for daily assignments. I got a Macintosh laptop in November of that year and used it for the rest of 6th grade.
	The next year I went to Dakota Meadows Middle School, which is where I’ve been for the past two years. Next year I’ll be able to go to West high school, which is within walking distance from my home.
	I took the Special Ed bus to school while I attended Roosevelt. My parents got the bus company to let me ride the regular school bus to Garfield along with all the other kids in the neighborhood. Since then I’ve been walking to the bus stop and taking the school bus every day. Sometimes I’ve even taken the Mankato City bus to the Downtown Mankato Place to attend piano lessons after school.
	Overall, my school experiences have been pretty okay. There were bad times and god times like for everybody. But it was overall pretty good.



My Experience as a Blind Individual in District 77


	I HAVE been legally blind since birth. However I have always attended regular school and worked in regular classrooms. However, this has not been the best thing of my life.
	First of all, even in the regular classroom, since first grade, there was an aide in all my classes. In the lower grades the aide would do absolutely everything, even if it was ridiculously simple for me to do. For example, the aide would pick up my pencil if I dropped it and get my lunch for me in the lunch line.
	Not only did the aide do things in school, but she did things outside of school too! I remember when I was with my parents at a fast food resturant and we were getting ready to leave. My dad told me to zip my coat up, and this aide came running over and yelled that she’s my aide and that she’ll zip the coat for me. 
	Another example of an aide bothering me and my parents outside of school was when I was taking swimming lessons at the Y. My dad had become diabetic and was unable to eat too much sugar. I wanted to get a candy bar out of the machine, and my dad gave me the money. When I came back my dad was sitting with an aide. The aide insisted that I share the candy with my dad. Now I knew that my dad was diabetic and couldn’t have candy, but the aide made it an issue of not knowing how to share. My dad eventually said he couldn’t have candy.
	In elementary school I’ve had quite a few experiences with the music department. One of them was when I was restless during music class. The teacher called my dad and told him that I was restless in class. My dad said that because of my perfect pitch I can get irritated or annoyed when people sing out of tune. The music teacher began to argue with my dad and tell him that I don’t know anything about music and that I don’t know one note from another.  Now what was true was that there were songs which had accompanying hand and body motions that I could not see. When I did these motions wrong my dad got told I don’t know anything about music!
	The same goes for when I broke my collar bone in first grade. The principal called my dad and said I was just having an episode and that nothing was wrong.  That also happened when I broke my arm; the principal called and said that it was an episode, nothing was wrong, and that my mom should come because my dad was blind and he ‘wouldn’t be able to assess the situation.’ Since my mom was busy my dad came anyway and took me to the clinic, only to discover I had a broken arm. You’ll also be reading about my broken arm later.
	Recently I’ve had trouble participating in things I’m interested in. I participated in the science fair from 3rd to 6th grade, but not in 7th and 8th grade. I missed out on a math club and a science club because I did not get the information on time. 
	I also get treated unfairly sometimes. When a student shoved my head into a wall and I reported it I got told that nobody saw it, therefore nothing can be done. When somebody reported that I got too close to them, it was considered a serious discipline issue. It has been frustrating. 
	Even my parents have had difficulty trying to get my teachers and advisors to understand about my blindness and to get the reasonable accommodations that I am entitled to.  As I older I am hoping that my teachers will begin to believe me more when I say I can't see something and will instead assist me in finding alternative ways. If this can happen then high school will be a more pleasant and rewarding experience for me.



The Scientist Side of Flint Million

	I HAVE always enjoyed the field of science. I am inquisitive by nature and I always want to know how things work and why things happen the way they do. Therefore, it was only natural that I would choose to participate in the school science fair.  
	My first science fair project involved creating a salt crystal formation. I was in third grade at the time. My mom helped me with getting all the ingredients and following all the steps. We started with just some pieces of black coal and ended up with very colorful crystal shapes. I created all the signs for the poster board on my computer.
	In fourth grade I did a project on holograms. I used a lamp and different colored filters to determine which color allowed for the best holographic patterns. Again I used my computer to design the poster board. 
	My fifth grade project was really interesting. My mom gave me the idea. She is a stamp collector. In order to get cancelled stamps removed from envelopes my mom soaks the envelopes in water and the stamps float off. However, whenever she soaked envelopes that were green or red the dye would stain the stamps. I added different additives to the water such as salt, sugar, boric acid, aspirins etc. to see what would eliminate the staining. Of course I used my computer for the poster board signs.
	For sixth grade I chose a project that could help blind people. Many people with visual impairments like to use dark black pens when they write letters. Some of these black pens write too thick or bled through the paper. I purchased about 20 different pens and used a sample page written with each pen. I surveyed both blind and sighted people to determine which pen or pens would be the best for blind people to use. As always I used my computer to make up signs for the poster board.
	Unfortunately, when I attended Dakota Meadows Middle School I was not able to continue with my science fair participation.  I was not given the information in time to sign up for the seventh or eighth grade science fairs. Hopefully I will be able to resume my participation when I attend West High School. 



Is it Really Broken?

	IT was lunch hour. I was in second grade and I had been doing pretty good in school. The only problem I had was that each day I would argue about being required to go outside, and each day I was told I must be outside and only outside. 
	I wish I had argued more that one cold day in the middle of the winter. 
	I found somebody I knew on the playground and started talking to him. I went with him over to the blacktop where a group of kids were.
	It was very icy that day. I had to walk slowly and carefully to avoid falling. It was dangerous outside.
	While I was talking to the group of kids, one kid fell into the others, and a crowd of kids fell onto my right arm.
	It made me scream! It hurt. I didn’t know what had happened at that point but I knew that it hurt a lot. It hurt more than anything else I’d ever felt in my life.
	Eventually the playground supervisors heard me scream and they asked me what was wrong. They assumed I was in pain and took me to the school’s main office. 
	Eventually my dad was called. He was told that my arm was hurt. He came to get me and took me to the clinic, just in case.
	The X-rays showed that I had a fractured bone in the arm, and they took me to the hospital where   more X-rays were taken.
	It was decided that surgery was needed. I was afraid. My dad called my mom to tell her the bad news, and my mom said later she heard me crying in the background.
	I was taken into the operating room. The only thing I remember is the somewhat disgusting taste of the sleeping gas. It tasted kind of sweet, but it was more like mints mixed with cough syrup.
	I remember a deep dreamless sleep. I was not sure how long I was asleep.
	I woke up in the recovery room later on. At first I was confused as to what had just happened. When did I fall asleep? How long after I put the gas mask on did the gas take effect?
	I was taken to the hospital room where I was to stay. The bed had a small panel with a phone and a nurse call button on it in case you needed some pain-relief medicine or other kind of help. Also on the panel was a speaker and a remote control panel for the TV. 
	The stay wasn't really that bad. It lasted about two  days. I had a cast and sling for my arm, along with some pins put in it during the surgery, which I still have. It made it much more difficult, considering that at that time I did not use computers and that my right hand was the only hand I could write with.
	When I got home I realized something. I could still play the piano with one hand - the left hand. It was good to know ... just in case I ever broke an arm again.
	I kept the sling and cast on for about six weeks. During that time I had to do all my homework and schoolwork on a tape recorder I got for Christmas a while ago.
	For the six weeks I got to stay inside instead of going outside during lunch. 		The next frightening and painful experience I had was getting the pins removed from my arm. During the whole time that the doctor was doing it, I was in pain. 
	Even after that, recovery was necessary. I had to do daily exercises with a rubber-band rope and a baseball bat. It involved pulling on a rubber band and lifting a baseball bat above my head using my arms. It hurt.
	I was quite happy when it was all over, but afterward I thought, Look what I went through not to have to go outside!
	And the worst part was: after I recovered I still had to go outside.



	My Friends

	I HAVE never had a lot of friends but the few I have had have been very good and loyal friends. I have always felt that it is better to have a few reliable friends then a lot of fair weather friends.
	I met my very best friend Jim Poss when we were cabin mates at Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN in 1994. Both of us had enrolled in blind sports. I have to be honest that I did not want to go to camp. Maple Lake was over 100 miles from home. I couldn't believe that my parents were making me do this. They were going to leave me there for a whole week. I was already in my cabin and my parents had left when Jim showed up. Jim was totally blind and was using a long white cane. I immediately offered to be his sighted guide. That was the start of a great friendship. Jim and I enjoyed being together and we hated to see the week end. When my parents came to get me I begged them to let me come back next summer. Jim has lived his whole life in Delano which is about 100 miles from Mankato. He was born July 31, 1982 so he was a year older then me.  Like me, Jim has always been an avid computer user. We have enjoyed talking about computers and sharing our computer knowledge. We have been trying to call each other once a week and we exchange tapes and computer disks through the mail. We returned to Camp Courage in 1995 and 1996. We plan on being cabin mates again this summer.
	During my years at Roosevelt Elementary school my best friend was Alexis Smith.  She and I enjoyed talking to each other and hanging out together. Alexis never seemed to mind that I was blind. She was a good sighted guide and when we were in unfamiliar or crowded places she never ran off and left me stranded. Alexis moved when we were in fourth grade but we continued to remain friends and went on outings. One of our most fun outings was a trip with my parents to Valley Fair. Alexis really liked the Wave but I didn't like it. I didn't see what was so much fun about getting wet. Other places that Alexis and I have been together include the movies, birthday parties, picnics and to see a play at Mankato State University.
	When I was a preschooler I had a baby sitter named Denise Jaeger. My mom would drop me off every day at Denise's house and she and I would spend our days together. Denise was legally blind like me so we really got along well. I have continued to stay in touch with Denise and now she is one of my good friends. She has a computer and often I go over her house and help her with installing programs or equipment. Recently I helped her get signed on with America On Line and we began corresponding by E-mail. Unfortunately, Denise's computer developed a virus. I spent an entire day at her house trying to locate the virus. I finally removed it but the virus had done some terrible damage making Denise's computer completely unusable.
	I think that I am the type of person who will always remain a loyal and faithful friend. I am sure that I will continue to be a good friend to Jim, Alexis and Denise. I also feel that they are the type of friends that will continue to accept me as I am.



My Magic Fingers

`	I’VE heard the story from my parents many times of how my piano career began. I seemed to like to listen to music from the very start. When I was two years old my parents bought me a small electric keyboard to play with. A few days later my mom heard Twinkle Twinkle Little Star coming out of the living room and she wondered who was playing the keyboard. When she entered the room she was surprised to see me actually playing the keyboard. I learned how to play many nursery songs on that little keyboard. When I was three years old my parents enrolled me at the Suzuki School of Music in the Carnegie Building in Mankato. I began lessons in February, 1986, My first teacher was Anne Lindsay. My first lessons were learning to play the rhythm sticks. I gave my first recital using the rhythm sticks in March at the Multi Church in Mankato. In April my parents purchased an upright piano and I began actual piano lessons with Ruth Greve. I gave several piano recitals at Mankato State University. I eventually changed piano teachers to Dale Haefner who has remained my current Suzuki School teacher. 
	Besides recitals I have played piano in kindergarten for a program on Norway. I played the piano for the Christmas program at Roosevelt Elementary School. I have also played the piano for community events such as a senior citizens program, a music teacher's conference, a YMCA Christmas Open House and for Halloween. The Halloween one was interesting as I played while dressed up as a witch. This past Christmas I played the piano at two senior citizen Christmas parties.  In 1995 I played the piano at a wedding. Sometimes I get paid to play. Other times I just volunteer.
	An article about me and my music and computer skills was written about in the Mankato Free Press in September of 1995. The news paper reporter, Brian Ojanpa came to interview me at the Suzuki School of Music during one of my piano lessons.
	I have always had perfect pitch and have been able to play by ear. since the age of four I have been able to read printed music by holding it close to my face. I have always had to study the printed music and memorize the notes as I have not been able to read the notes at the same time as I play the piano. I have composed many of my own songs. I have developed a huge interest in computerized music. I began using a software program called the Music Construction Set which allowed me to enter my own compositions as well as other songs into the computer note by note from the music playing in my head. I have since advanced to some more technical computerized music programs.
	I have known for a long time that music will always be an important part of my life. I hope to someday have a career that incorporates my skills in music and computers.



Computer Applications

	I’VE been using computers almost daily since 5th grade. They help me do my assignments, provide entertainment, and help get general work done.
	I first started using the computer at 3 years old. The very first computer I used was called a Texas Instruments 994A system. It used a cassette recorder and program cartridges to operate. It also used a regular TV.
	We also had an old computer that I used. It was called an IBM PCjr computer.  Two years later, when I was five, I was already programming, using the BASIC programming language. BASIC stands for the Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Later on I began to program in Microsoft QBasic, which is a more advanced form of BASIC.
	The computer was not the best you could get these days: it had no hard drive, simple 4-color graphics, and 3-note sound. (Actually, the 3-note sound was the only advantage it had over other old PCs.) Of course, it probably was an amazing computer at the time it was purchased.
	I used this computer for a long time: approximately six years.
	In 1993 I got my first advanced computer. It was really purchased for my dad’s work, but I also used it. 
	It, for a change, had better graphics. It didn't have the 3 note sound, however. The main advantage it had was the internal hard disk. 
	The only problem with the system was it's design. It's physical characteristics were not very well made - the plastic case holding the unit together cracked and snapped about 6 times during the time we owned it. A small crack would start near the screws holding the hinges together. The stress on the hinges from opening and closing the computer would make the crack grow. When it got big enough, the hinge would fall apart and make it impossible to close the computer. In 1994, IBM replaced the computer because they knew there was a flaw in the design. The new laptop was called a Thinkpad 360C. It had one more advantage: Super VGA graphics. The hinge has never cracked on this computer.
	I used that system for quite some time, probably two years. Then we got our brand new desktop computer that you’ll be reading about later.
	Another thing I do quite often with computers is fix them. Unlike popular beliefs, computers are not 100% perfect. Well, they are in calculations, but not in operation - sometimes, something goes wrong. I have fixed computers at home, at my mom's work, for friends, and, in the past, in school.
	A simple process is usually followed when I fix a computer. First, I would find the problem. That’s usually done by testing, using special programs I’ve always had. Next, I think of the possible reasons. As a matter of fact, it's almost like a science experiment: stating the problem is obvious, getting a hypothesis is guessing the problem, and experimenting is testing for that problem and fixing it. The conclusion is, of course, the result, usually that the computer works fine because whatever problem there was has been fixed.
	I have many methods of fixing computers. The usual one is testing the computer with special programs. It tests everything and chooses which things need improvement, or which things are damaged. From that program I get an idea as to what to do. When a computer will not get to the point where the test software can be run, I must use information that I know about problems to decide what's going wrong. 
	One more thing I do is upgrade. That usually means software upgrading, but not necessarily. The things I've added to the computers we own at home are: memory, sound, video, and a scanner. 
	So, combining using, fixing, and upgrading, you have quite a computer user!



Furry Companions

	I’VE had quite a few pets in my life. I've had a total of four dogs, five cats, and a guinea pig. I might as well tell you that most of them are dead, but most of them were very nice to live with. I now have only one dog and one cat out of the total.
 	The first cats were there when I arrived and was adopted. 
	The cats were named Spice, Sugar, Penny and Minnie. Minnie died of a stroke in 1985. 
	My mom told me that Penny was a cat who had been abandoned by it’s owner at a highway rest stop in Pennsylvania. My mom was on her way to Minnesota for the first time and she found the cat at the rest stop. She still had Penny when I came to the US. My mom named her Penny, which was short for Pennsylvania.
	Unfortunately, the other three cats were eventually given away.
	All of our dogs have been retired greyhound racing dogs. We feel good that we’ve been able to rescue them from being destroyed.
	Our first greyhound, Nimi, was hit by a car and she died.
	After that we got one of the nicest dogs we ever owned (except for the current one), Strobe Bounder. He was a very good and obedient dog. However, he developed cancer in one of his legs, and had to have it amputated. He did quite well on his three legs, but then another leg had to be amputated too, and it was on the same side as the other amputated leg. Since two legs on one side would not hold the dog up, and because he was getting a little old (9 years old), he had to be put to sleep by the vets. It was quite sad.
	After Strobe Bounder we got another greyhound dog named Amber, but we eventually decided we needed to get rid of her because she couldn't adjust to an enclosed household. After her we got Missy, who we still have now. She's a pretty good dog. 
	Then, about three years ago, I made a decision with my parents to get Summer, our cat. My mom and I went to Dr. Fischer’s pet hospital to find a kitten. As we looked at the cats who needed homes, one kitten stuck her paw out and tried to grab me. That’s the cat I chose. I had to sign adoption papers before Dr. Fischer let me take her home. It was interestingly easy to train her: I just showed her everything and she knew what it was. (She was three months old and I assumed she probably had some ‘pre-training’ at the vet.) 
	That's where I am right now, as far as pets go, with Missy and Summer, a dog and cat, who also became best friends at first sight.



A Visit with Mickey Mouse

	OUR trip to Orlando, Florida began on Friday July 16, 1993. We drove to the Select Inn in Bloomington. We went to bed at 11:30 PM but got up at 3:30 AM.  We took the shuttle van to the airport. Our airplane took off at 6 AM.  We landed in Orlando at 10:05 AM. A monorail took us to the main terminal. Then we boarded a shuttle bus out to Alamo Car Rental. We rented a 1993 Nissan Sentra. We drove 60 miles to Lake Wales where we visited Bok Tower Gardens.  It was a very beautiful garden featuring a carillon tower with 57 bronze bells weighing from 17 pounds to 11 tons. We heard a very lovely bell concert and we fed the fish and birds.  We checked into the Radisson Inn Maingate in Kissimme. We visited TJ's lounge in our hotel where I had a balloon hat made for me. 
	Our first morning in Orlando we drove to Disney-MGM Studios. We went on the "Great American Train Ride" which was a ride through famous movie sets such as "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Casablanca", and "Wizard of Oz". We waited on a long line for the "Voyage of the Little Mermaid", a live and animated re-enactment of the movie with great special effects. While on line we were entertained by street musicians. One of them let me play the accordion. Then we took the "Backstage Studio" shuttle bus tour and saw real movie sets. We went through "Catastrophe Canyon" where we experienced an earthquake of 8.4 on the Richter scale complete with fires and floods. I had fun at the playground, "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" where everything was giant size. We enjoyed the "Magic of Disney Animation" , a show about how cartoons are made. We visited "Inside the Magic", a walking tour about special effects. Then we saw a show about stunts called "Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular".  They re-enacted some scenes from "Raiders of the Lost Ark."  Next we went on "Star Tours". Here we took a ride to Endor where the Ewoks live. On this ride the seats shook while we watched a special effects movie. We took a walk down "New York Street". We all loved the "Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3D" show. We had to wear 3D glasses. Back at our hotel we went swimming outdoors till midnight.
	The next day we had another full day of fun. We went to the Magic Kingdom, taking the monorail to the park. We walked through Cinderella's Castle and went to Fantasy Land. We took the "Snow White Adventure Ride", a motorized ride. We went on "Cinderella's Golden Carousel". We got to see two more 3D shows at the "Magic Voyage". Everyone enjoyed the "It's A Small World" boat ride featuring music and dolls from around the world. We went on "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" submarine ride. Next it was Liberty Square where we visited the "Haunted Mansion". It was scary but we had lots of fun as we rode through the mansion. We took a ride on the "Keel Boat" around the lake.  At the "Hall of Presidents"  we saw a movie about the early USA and we saw robots of all the presidents. We returned to Fantasy Land and went on "Peter Pan's Flight", a motorized ride in cars which then become flying vehicles. We flew from London to Never-Never Land.  We went on "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", another motorized ride. At Tomorrow Land we took the "Wedway People Mover". We all enjoyed the "Carousel of Progress" ride. We went on "Mission to Mars", a ride with moving seats. 
	The next day we went to Epcot Center. First we went to the "Living Seas" building. We saw a movie about the sea and then took a car ride through a real aquarium and saw sea turtles, fish, sharks and stingrays. We also got to see a diver and two manatees. Next we visited "The Land" building where we saw a movie about world food and a show called "Kitchen Kabaret".  We took a boat ride called "Listen to the Land" which went through a green house and vegetable garden. After lunch we went to "Journey Into Imagination", where we went on a car ride called "Dreamfinder and Figment". It had lots of music.  We saw another 3D movie called "Captain EO"  at the "Magic Eye Theater". Then we went to the "Space Ship Earth" where we took a ride in cars that went up a steep incline inside of the geosphere and we went backwards going down. After that we went to the "Universe of Energy" building. Here we sat in special theater cars powered by solar energy. Whole sections of the theater moved on tracks through a great dinosaur exhibit. We spent a lot of time in the next building, "Wonders of Life" where we saw a film called "The Making of Me" about how babies are born and a show with robots and videos called "Cranium Command" about how the brain works. We went on a ride called "Body Wars" where we were purified and miniaturized so we could enter a space probe and travel into the human body. Actually it was a special effects ride where the seats shook us up.  
	The next morning we took the shuttle bus to Epcot Center.  We began this long day at the "Communicore East" where we saw a show called "Backstage Magic"  about the computers used at Disney World. It contained some great holograms.  We had breakfast at the "Star Gate Restaurant" where I got to meet Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Next we went to the "World of Motion" where we took a car ride that went through a space tunnel.  We also saw a multi-screen movie about future engines. Then it was onto "Horizons". Here we went on a ride where we sat in sideways cars and rode through exhibits about electronics in the future. Then we left the "Future World" part of Epcot and went to "World Showcase". Both my mom and I had special books that we presented at each of the eleven countries. We got the books stamped with special rubber stamps and representatives of each country wrote something in our books. The first stop was "Canada". Here we watched a movie in Circle 360°. Next it was off to the "United Kingdom" with it's lovely gardens . Then on to "France" where we watched a movie in Circle 180°. From there it was on to "Morocco" followed by "Japan". We really enjoyed the USA building called "The American Adventure". Here we saw a show about the history of the USA done with movie screens and robots and narrated by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. After lunch it was on to "Italy" and "China". At "Germany" we heard the glockenspiel. Next we went to "Norway" which turned out to be our favorite country. We took a boat ride called "Maelstrom", a high seas adventure. The last nation was "Mexico". The inside of this lovely building was a recreated outdoor village. It felt like we were outdoors at night. We went on the boat ride called "El Rio del Tiempo" which sailed through a restaurant. It contained lots of music, fireworks and moving displays.  We found a bench just beyond Mexico with a good view of the lagoon for the fireworks. Dad stayed here while Mom and I took the boat shuttle across the lagoon back to Germany. We walked over to Italy and took the double decker bus back around to Norway. The fireworks called "IllumiNations" was great! It had lasers, lights, music, fountains and fireworks. It was very colorful. All the buildings were illuminated. 
	The next morning we took shuttle bus to the Magic Kingdom taking the ferry this time into the park. Our first stop was the railroad depot on Main Street USA where we took the steam powered train on a ride circling the whole park. We went to Adventure Land and visited the "Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House". We saw the "Tropical Serenade" with singing Tiki birds. Then we went on the "Jungle Cruise". It was a safari boat ride and we encountered lions, hippopotamus, zebras and elephants. Next it was the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride. Then on to Frontier Land where we saw the "Country Bear Jamboree", a singing bears show. We took an electric raft ride over to "Tom Sawyer's Island" where we explored caves, tunnels, windmill, fort, barrel bridge and suspension bridge.  We returned to TomorrowLand where we went on a motorized car ride called "Delta Dream Flight". We went back to Liberty Square and saw the "Spectro Magic Parade". It had beautiful music and lighted floats of Snow White, Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and others. We also saw the fireworks. 
	The next day we got up early and took the shuttle bus to Sea World. We started the day by taking the "Bermuda Triangle" ride. Next we saw the Shamu Killer Whale show. Then we went to "Terrors of the Deep", a exhibit about sharks, barracudas and other dangerous fish. We walked through a round aquarium and we stood on a moving sidewalk going through a shark aquarium where sharks swam over our heads. We saw a show called "Window to the Sea" about Sea World's educational programs. It began with a waltzing waters show. We visited the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center where we saw clydesdales horses. Then we visited the "Tropical Reef" and we saw thousands of tropical fish in a 160,000 gallon fish tank. We walked through the tropical rain forest where we saw giant catfish. We had a lot of fun at the "Dolphin Community Pool". Here we got to feed fish to the dolphins and we got to pet the dolphins!! They felt rubbery. We watched the dolphin show. Then we went to the "Penguin Encounter" where we stood on a moving sidewalk and saw penguins in a natural environment. We all really enjoyed "Manatees: The Last Generation?" First we saw manatees in a lagoon area. Then we went inside and saw a 180° movie about manatees. Next we went underground where we could view the bottom of the lagoon and saw the manatees up close. We saw a 20 minute musical waltzing waters show preformed to songs from the "Sound of Music" and Neil Diamond's "America". Next we visited "Pacific Point Preserve" where we fed fish to the sea lions. The exhibit had simulated waves. I played at "Shamu's Happy Harbor" a really fun kid's playground. 
	On our last day in Florida we went shopping at some of the shops across the road from our hotel. We drove to Old Town. This was a unique place with rides, little shops, museums and restaurants. I went on the ferris wheel. I played in the "Happy Days"  arcade. I won 28 tokens in the slot machines and traded them in for a Chinese fan and a Tootsie Roll.  We got on our airplane at 6 PM and we landed in Minneapolis at 9 PM. We took the shuttle van to the Select Inn where we checked in for the night.



The Lion Sleeps Tonight

	ONE of my family's favorite vacation spots has been Las Vegas, Nevada. We visited there in July 1994 and July 1995. Both times we stayed at the MGM Grand Resort & Casino. That place was awesome! The MGM has been considered the world's largest resort hotel with 5,005 rooms. The entrance to the casino was shaped as a giant lion with green eyes that lit up at night. Inside the MGM were lots of restaurants, stores and theaters. There was also a replica of the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz complete with a changing sky. We enjoyed the restaurants at the food court especially Nathan's where we got refillable Coca Cola canteens. We also had the best pizza ever at Mama Ilardo's. There was a 24 hour a day midway where I won lots of coupons that I traded in for some neat gifts. The outdoor pool was huge and it had two waterfalls. It also had a super double decker whirlpool with a waterfalls. When we went out the back door of the hotel we entered the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park. There we went on lots of rides and saw many shows. My favorite ride was the bumper cars and my mom and I went on several times. The show I liked the best was a live Three Stooges stage show. On our last night in Las Vegas in 1995 my parents surprised me with tickets for the three of us to see the live stage show entitled "EFX" and starring Michael Crawford. The tickets cost $70 per person. Instead of a theater with auditorium seats, this theater had tables and chairs. My parents and I sat at our own table and we were served free drinks. The show was fantastic. It had lots of special effects, beautiful music and interesting comedy routines. 
	Everyday of our Las Vegas vacations we visited other casinos or took sight seeing tours. We took a tour of the Hoover Dam and we got to actually go inside the dam itself.  Hoover Dam is split between Nevada and Arizona.  One tour that was fun was going to Laughlin, Nevada which is a gambling town built on the Colorado River. We traveled between the casinos via a river taxi. My parents collect casino tokens and chips so they stopped at as many casinos as possible to buy these coins. Usually while my parents went into the casinos to get the coins, I would stay in the designated children's areas where I got to play games or go on rides. What I loved most about Las Vegas were all the lights and special effects. Each night we would go for walks on the Las Vegas Strip where we got to see fantastic laser and hologram light shows. At the Excalibur Hotel we watched Merlin fight a dragon. I really liked the Luxor Hotel. It was a pyramid shaped building with a giant Egyptian Sphinx at the entrance. Inside we went on a cruise of the Nile River. The lights of downtown Fremont Street were indescribable. All of the casinos were lit up with the brightest lights possible. 
	There was so much to see and do in Las Vegas that we could not see everything we wanted to, but that's okay as it will give us a reason to go back again. The only thing that I didn't like about Las Vegas was that I wasn't allowed to get close enough to see the slot machines. I could hear all the money going in. I could hear the slot machine displays spinning  around and I could hear the money clanging against the metal trays when someone won. Hopefully when I am twenty one years old my parents and I will go back to Las Vegas so I can try my hand at the machines.



Hello President Clinton!

	WE started our Washington DC vacation on Friday, July 6, 1996. We got up early that day and packed our last minute stuff. Dad took Missy and Summer to the vet. We packed the car and drove to Elko where we spent the day at the Trader's Market Flea Market. There we got a lot of neat stuff. After the Flea Market we drove to the Select Inn in Bloomington and checked in for the night. We walked over to Chili's for supper. The food was great! Back at our room we looked at our stuff from the flea market. We all went swimming and had a lot of fun in the pool as Dad showed us some wrestling holds. We watched TV and went to bed at 12:30 AM.
	The next day we got up early again. We packed up and took the shuttle van to the Humphrey Charter Terminal and checked our bags. We were on Sun Country Airlines Flight 234. Our plane was suppose to leave at 1:40 PM but they had to replace a broken back up compass. We loaded after 2 PM and took off at 2:30 PM. They served salami on rye sandwiches, cheese, crackers and a mint. Our flight was 1 hour and 52 minutes. We landed about 5:15 PM EST. We went from the airplane onto a bus like vehicle called "Plane Mate Vehicle" which took us to the Dulles Airport main terminal in Chantilly, Virginia. After we got our luggage we took a taxi.  It cost $40 for the 46 mile trip to Washington DC. The taxi took us right to the Howard Johnson Premier on Virginia Ave. across the street from Watergate Hotel. We checked into room 512. This would be our home for the next seven days. We had a refrigerator and a balcony facing the Watergate. We went to eat supper at the hotel restaurant, Bob's Big Boy. We looked around the hotel gift shop.
	Sunday was our first full day in Washington DC. We left our hotel room at 8 AM and had trouble finding the Foggy Bottom Metro Station. We finally did find it. It took us a little bit to figure out how to buy and use the farecards.  You have to use them to enter as well as to exit the train stations. The Metro would become the way we traveled everyday. We went to the White House Visitors Center where we saw a display about Presidents Numbers 26 to 42.  Nearby was the Department of Commerce where we visited the National Aquarium. It was fun. We saw eels, sharks, turtles, crabs, catfish, snails, frogs and lots of fish. I even got to touch some crabs and a conch.  Then we went to the Old Post Office Pavilion. We shopped at the little shops in the building. There was a glass elevator that we took up to the observation deck of the clock tower. The view of the city was beautiful. Also we saw and heard the bells in the bell tower. Our next destination was Union Station where the DC Ducks were located. The Ducks are old World War II amphibious vehicles. We had a fun tour that lasted over ninety minutes. Captain Tony took us on a tour of Washington DC on land and then we went into the Potomac River. We left the water in Virginia and returned to Union Station. Back at our hotel we ate supper and we went swimming on the eighth floor roof top outdoor pool. It was cool but fun! There was a nice view from the roof. In fact we could see the Washington Monument.  We played ping pong before the pool closed. 
	We started our next morning bright and early but it was raining out. We went to the Supreme Court which was very interesting. We stopped at the Library of Congress. We wanted to see the Library for the Blind but the people at the information desk didn't know where it was. Then it was off to the US Capitol.  The rotunda was gorgeous. I laid down on the floor and took a photo of the murals on the ceiling. Next we went to the US Botanic Garden. We had lunch there under an umbrella table in the African garden. The green houses were lovely. We walked to the Air and Space Museum which was huge and exciting. We saw lots of interesting displays including the Spirit of St. Louis plane, Wright Brothers plane and John Glenn's space capsule. At the Einstein Planetarium we saw a show called "Stars of the Night" about constellations.
	The next day we went to the National Geographic Society. It was fun.  We saw many displays. Next we visited the B'Nai B'Rith Museum and looked at interesting exhibits about Jewish holidays and traditions. We visited the US Navy Memorial where we saw a huge granite map which was surrounded by fountains, carved pictures and the Lone Sailor statue.  We all enjoyed the National Archives where we saw an interesting display of gifts that presidents have received. We had to wait on a long line in order to see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Magna Carta. Our last stop on this day was the Museum of Natural History.  Here we saw the African Bush elephant. We stood on a long line to see the Hope Diamond, a huge star sapphire of more than 300 carats and a giant emerald.  We went swimming on the roof again when we got back to our hotel.
	On Wednesday we walked down from our hotel to the Vietnam War Memorial.  We also visited the Korean War Memorial. Both these memorials were very impressive. Then we went into the Lincoln Memorial. It was neat.  We walked along the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument. We went to the top of the monument. The view was great! From there it was on to the Museum of American History where we visited the First Ladies exhibit. There were signs in Braille for the Men and Women rest rooms and the elevator however the signs were posted on the wall over ten feet high which is impossible to read in Braille!.  We filled out a complaint form. When we got back to our hotel my mom and I went swimming and then after that Mom and I went shopping at the Safe Way grocery store under the Watergate Hotel. Grandma, Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi came to our hotel room. They drove down from New York City to see us. We all went to eat at The All You Can Eat Buffet in our hotel. After that I took Grandma, Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi to Safe Way to shop. 
	The next day Grandma, Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi joined us and we all went to the US Holocaust Museum. The tour started on the fourth floor. We got identification cards when we came in. I got Eugeniusz Rozenblum whose birthday was October 23, 1923. He was born in Lodz, Poland and was Jewish. The museum was very sad. We saw many displays and some films about concentration camps. We saw the display of shoes.  We spent all day at the museum. Back at our room we put on our bathing suits and went up to the pool but it was very cool. Only my Mom, Uncle Katsumi and I went in the water. After we had a supper party in our room. We rented the movie "Bird Cage".
	The next day was really interesting as we went "state hopping". Again Grandma, Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi joined us. We took the  Metro train to White Flint in Rockville, Maryland. We went to the White Flint Mall where we had lunch and shopped. Then we took the train to Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Here we shopped at the underground Plaza Shops. On the way back to our hotel we had to walk in the rain and we got soaked!  After supper we began packing our stuff as we our vacation was coming to an end.
	Our last day in Washington DC started with packing up. We checked our suitcases with the bell hop. We went to Union Station for lunch and we looked around at all the shops. We went across the street to the National Postal Museum. It was really interesting. We used a computer to generate pre-addressed postcards addressed to ourselves.  We walked over to Columbus Circle to see a replica of the Liberty Bell, minus the crack. We returned to our hotel at 2:30 PM and retrieved our suitcases. The Express Shuttle took us to Dulles Airport. We took the Plane Mate Vehicle to our airplane. We were on Flight 235, Sun Country Airlines. The plane was not fully booked so we were able to spread out. We landed back in Minneapolis at 8:05 PM. The flight time was 2 hours 11 minutes. We took the shuttle van to the Select Inn where we checked in to room 294 for the next few days. We spent the next few days relaxing, swimming and shopping.



On the Go

	THE first long vacation I took with my parents was when drove to Albuquerque, New Mexico in September 1985 to visit my Grandma Million. We also visited my Uncle Art and Aunt Sandie who lived in Rio Rancho. Grandma went sight seeing with us and we visited the Sandia Peak; Carlsbad Caverns; White Sands; El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. On the trip back to Minnesota we visited some famous tourist spots including the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Dodge City and Zion National Park. I don't recall any of this but my parents tell me that I was a good traveler and didn't fuss much.
	Our next long vacation was in June 1986. My sister Brenda came with us as we traveled by car to Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. My parents made plans to meet their pen pals Angela and Keith Evans from England in Nashville. We hit all the tourist places including Opryland, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Elvis Presley's Graceland home and Mud Island. On the way back to Minnesota we drove through the Ozark mountains where we visited Dogpatch, USA in Harrison, Arkansas.
	In July 1987 my parents, Brenda and I took the Lake Superior Circle Route driving tour. This was a long trip but we had a lot of fun. We stayed at about ten different hotels along the route and my parents told me that for months I would recite the names of the hotels in the order in which we stayed. We also included a side trip to Mackinac Island and we all loved this place.  The island did not allow any motorized vehicles so the main mode of transportation was feet, bicycles and horses.
	For our summer vacation in 1988 my parents, Brenda and I took the Greyhound bus to New York City where we stayed at my Grandmother Toonkel's house. We spent a lot of time sight seeing around New York visiting places such as the Bronx Zoo, World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty, Museum of Natural History and Times Square. The highlight of the trip was going to Shea Stadium on July 4. We rooted for the New York Mets. After the game we saw a great fireworks display over the stadium.
	Niagara Falls, Canada was our destination in July 1989. My sister Brenda again joined us as we drove across Canada. My Aunt Luba and Uncle Katsumi met us there. We saw the Falls from every position possible. We went into the falls on the Maid of Mist boat ride. We saw the Falls from up above while riding on North Anerica's largest ferris wheel. We went down under the Falls and we even got to look out portals behind the Falls. On the way home we spent another day at Mackinac Island. We also spent a couple of days in Flint and Frankenmuth, Michigan.
	My sister Brenda had her learner's permit when we went on vacation in July 1990 so she was able to share the driving with my mom. We drove to Rapid City, South Dakota where we saw a lot of fun places such as Mount Rushmore, Custer National Park, Deadwood and Bedrock City. We also visited Devils Tower in Wyoming.
	We went on a shorter trip in July 1992 when we spent a week at the Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin. This city was a lot of fun. I got to play miniature golf for the first time and I got a hole in one!. We had so much fun in the wave pool and on the water slides at Noah's Ark. One night we took a river boat out to Stand Rock to see an Indian pow wow. On the way back I volunteered to sing a song over the boat's PA system. I sung the old Herman's Hermits song "Henry the 8th".
	Besides these long vacations I have had some other exciting summer experiences. I went to YMCA day camp for two summers. During the summers of 1991 and 1992 I went to the summer programs at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind in Faribault. Then during  the summers of 1994, 1995 and 1996 I attended the Sports Camp at Camp Courage in Maple River, MN. I participated in Blind Sports. This is where I met my best friend Jim Poss.  
	I have always enjoyed going on vacation with my parents and family. Sometimes before we go I worry that I won't have a good time but that has never happened. I look forward to having a lot more exciting family vacations.



The Great Minnesota Get Together

	ONE of my family summer traditions is that we have always visited the Minnesota State Fair each year.  My mom has told me that she has been to every State Fair since 1977. My Dad has not missed a State Fair since 1976 and I have not missed one since 1984. We have never failed to have a great time at the Fair. 
	We have seen several good concerts at the Fair. Some of these have included Barry Manilow, The Monkees, John Denver and Peter Noone. My mom told me that she use to cry when she listed to Peter Noone who was once known as Herman from Herman's Hermits.  After Peter Noone performed we waited on a long line and we got to meet Peter in person. He was so nice. He signed autographs and posed with us for pictures.  Another famous person that we once met at the State Fair was State Senator Rudy Boschowitz. He was selling milk at his own stand. He talked to us and posed with us for a picture.
	One of the things I have enjoyed doing at the fair is playing the piano under the grandstand.  Piano salesmen have always set up pianos on display and I have routinely gone over and began playing songs. Huge groups of people have formed around me while I play. People have even requested certain songs. Usually I have received lots of applause.
	We have enjoyed going on a few of our favorite annual rides such as the Merry Go Round, Old Mill Ride, the Space needle and the Sky Ride.  Before they took away the Merry Go Round I use to record the calliope songs and then go home and play them on the piano.  It goes without saying that the food has been an important part of the fair particularly the Pronto Pups and french fries.  
	Of all the exhibits at the State Fair I think one of the ones that was the most interesting and unusual was when I got to watch a live presentation of a dog being spayed. Last year they added a technology center and I could have spent days in that one building. I am sure that I will now be making an annual visit to that building. I sure hope that this is one family tradition that will continue for years to come.



A Dream Come True

	I AM not your average computer user. Of course, I'm always looking for the best in new technologies. To this point I’ve been stuck with a laptop without advanced graphics, CD-ROM, and with such a small hard drive.
	It was a typical day at Radio Shack in River Hills Mall. I was, as usual, checking out the newest computers. They had sound, good CD-ROM, and very good graphics systems. 
	Then my mom noticed the sale on the computers. "No interest,” it said, "for one year. Computer price reduced from $2699 to $2199.”
	Later that week we were discussing what the computer might be used for. I got all the specifications, such as the size of the hard drive, the speed of the CD, the actual graphics capability, and everything else about it. I asked several questions to find out if the computer would do what I needed it to.
	Eventually we decided to get the computer.
	The only problem was getting it to the house. The store I was in was out of the model we needed. They located one in another store. It was supposed to be shipped to our house but instead it got shipped to the River Hills Mall.
	It was the Wednesday of the last week of 7th grade. When I got home from school, a large box sat outside the front door. It had a computer in it.
	I had piano lessons every Wednesday. But since I didn't have to leave until later in the afternoon I got the box into the house and set up the computer.
	It was quite amazing how fast I did it. It took about 20 minutes to get it out of the box and onto the desk and running.
	Then it was time to go to piano lesson. It was a little difficult to concentrate.
	I got home quick. I ate quick too. The next thing I did was turn on the computer.
	It was quite amazing at first - the things it could do! It took about 20 minutes to set itself up. Then it gave me the system demo.	
	I don't like system demos. I usually have to work pretty hard to get them to quit coming up every time I turn the computer on. But I do it.
	Then I transferred all the files from the laptop computer to the new one.
	But, by now, it all seems normal, not amazing. Every day I get home from school, take my homework downstairs, put a music CD in the computer, turn on the special graphics that make the print easier to read, and get to work.



Closing

	WELL, there you have it. My life in 13,519 words. I hope you have enjoyed reading this autobiography. I sure had a good time putting it all together. This book would not have been possible without the help I received from several people. First of all I would like to thank my mom and dad for sharing all their memories with me. My mom was a big help in assisting me with organizing all the data and documents.  Both of my parents helped with the proofreading. I need to also acknowledge my Grandma Million and Grandma Toonkel. Both gave me lots of names and dates of my ancestors. 
	Other persons I need to thank for supplying me with names and dates include my Aunt Betty Johnson, my cousin Robert Siedel and my cousin Carl “Culman” Schwartz. I have promised to give copies of my autobiography to all those who helped me.  As I get ready to sign off I would like to say that I intend to make the most of my life. I'd like to go to college and major in computers and music. At this time in my life I picture myself eventually working at a job such as a sound engineer.  If you’d like to keep up with my life, you can visit me on the World Wide Web at http://members.aol.com/dmillion/web/index.html. Bye for now.



Appendix A, part 1: Autobiography
Topics and Information


Flint's Background:
	Born: May 14, 1983 in Seoul, Korea

	Health: born with albinism. Legally blind due to albinism, nystagmus, high myopia and strabismus. Photophobic, sensitive skin. Had broken arm (right) in second grade. Had broken collar bone on 2/14/1991. 

	Surgeries:
		tonsils removed in Korea
		strabismus surgery, preschool
		broken arm, winter of second grade (pins inserted)
			 
	Mom and Dad first learned about Flint on April 13, 1984 from Children’s Home Society in St. Paul. They first saw is photo 	on April 14, 1984. Accepted the referral on april 16, 1994. signed acceptance papers on April 20, 1984. Notified on Wednesday June 27, 1984 that Flint would be coming on Friday. Parents celebrated by having a pizza party. first people notified were Maureen's parents and Dennis mother.
	Came to USA from South Korea. Arrived at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Gate 31, Red Concourse, Northwest Airlines, flight #437 on Friday June 29, 1984 at 5 PM at age of 13 months. Traveled with a social worker from South Korea. 17 hours of travel - flew from South Korea to Tokyo, Japan and 	then to Chicago, IL (went through customs there) and finally to Minnesota.
	Mom held him first, then Aunt ruth, the Dad. Went to aunt Ruth and Uncle Burrell's house and slept over there. Next day we headed home to Mankato. Stopped for lunch at Baker's Square, 	Edina, MN where we met one of mom and dad's friends, Lynette Wenner. At home, took a walk in stroller for first time.
	Legally adopted 11/13/84 at Blue Earth County Courthouse, Mankato. Celebrated by going to Little Caesar's for Pizza and salad.
	Became US citizen 4/10/85 at Federal Court House in St. Paul, 	MN


While in South Korea:
	Favorite Snack Foods: tomatoes and cookies
	Usual meal: rice gruel
	Bedtime: 11 PM
	Wake up time: 7 AM
	Naps: two naps a day
	Bed: on floor with other foster children and foster parents
	Home: lived with a foster family

First people to meet Flint
	6/29/84	Uncle Burrell, Aunt Ruth, Cousin Steve
	6/30/84	Lynette Wenner (friend of parents)
	7/1/84	Grandma Toonkel
	7/1/84	visited Dad's office Eclipse and saw co-workers Sue 			& Rich
	7/2/84	Maureen Russell, penpal of parents from Liverpool, 			England
	7/2/84	visited mom's office (Services for the Blind) and saw co-workers: Ag, Curt, Barbara & Doris
	7/2/84	Stan Christ at Shoe Store
	7/5/84	Carol Hannick at library
	8/2/84	Judy Forman, social worker from adoption agency
	8/4/84	Leona Roth (friend of parents)
	8/7/84	Uncle David & Aunt Janet Toonkel, Aunt Luba & Uncle Katsumi Sato, Grandpa Toonkel
	8/8/84	Uncle Milty, Uncle Louie Keeperman
	8/11/84	Mary & Patrick Cuomeau (friends of family)
	8/13/84	visited Grandma toonkel's office and met her co-
			workers

Early Events:
	Grandmother Thelma Toonkel came to see Flint July 1, 1984 to July 13, 1984
	Great Grandmother Bessie died August 6, 1984. Went to NYC for funeral 8/7 - 8/13
	Grandfather Meyer Toonkel died 2/22/85. Went to New York for funeral 2/24 - 3/3. Stuck in snow storm, plane forced to land in Grand forks, ND where we were put up in a hotel overnight.
	Trip to Albuquerque, NM Sept. 1985 to see Grandmother Dorothy Million

Early Outings:
	7/4/84	St. Peter, MN picnic and fireworks at MSU
	7/7/84	North Mankato Fun Days
	7/8/84	Bend of the river Festival Parade
	7/9/84	Walnut Grove, MN (Little House on the Prairie)
	7/12/84	Minnesota Zoo
	7/17/84	Aunt ruth and Uncle Burrell's house
	7/25/84	Valley Fair
	8/7/84	New York City
	8/84		MN State Fair
	2/24/85   New York City

Naming Flint:
	Flint Dewey Million
	Flint is after Mom's grandfather Frank (who died when Mom was about 7 years old)
	Dewey is after Dad's twin brother Dewey (who died in 1968)
	Flint's Korean name was Kyung Sub Ahn

Infant/Toddler Information:
	First doctor's appointment: Dr. Anthony Giefer 7/5/84
	weight: 22 lbs
	height: 33 inches
	age: 13 months
	First eye exam: Dr. John Hoines 7/20/84. Got first eye glasses in August 1984
	First tooth came in (after arriving in USA) July 4, 1984
	First stood alone: Nov. 17, 1984
	First walked: Jan. 5, 1985
	First drank from cup alone: Aug. 18, 1984
	First haircut: 7/18/84
	First time swimming in lake (Bray Park): 7/11/84
	First English word: light  Aug. 1984
	First Korean words: mommy, daddy, pick me up
	First visit/photo with Santa Claus: 11/23/84 Mankato Mall
	Started potty training 4/3/85, ended 7/85
	Bedtime: 8:30 AM
	Wake Up: 7:30 - 8 AM
	Nap time: 1 PM - 2 PM

Early Favorites:
	Toys: exercise bicycle, little riding horse, bouncing chair, empty Tupperware bins, shape sorter, Mickey Mouse piano, lullaby bird, Glo worm, Teddy bear named Bubbles 

	Games: "This Little Piggy Went to Market"
	Pastimes:	bouncing in bouncing chair, listening to stereo
	Stories: nursery rhymes

Camps:	
		YMCA day camp for 2 summers
		Camp Courage, Blind Sports Camp, Maple Lake, MN 1994,1995, 1996

Extra Curricular Activities:
	Began piano lessons at Suzuki School of Music at age 3, 2/86. Gave first recital playing rhythm sticks 3/86 at age 3. Gave first piano recital at age 4, 3/87. Still takes lessons.
	summer program at Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, Faribault, 1991, 1992
		swimming lessons, gymnastics lessons at YMCA
		guitar lessons 4/96
		computer classes at Lincoln Community Center 1995 & 1996:
			Word Perfect Tables & Charts, Word Perfect Macros, 					Web Page design

		music class on Midi etc at MSU, 5th grade?
		gifted/talented summer program, MSU 1994

School Events:
	Vice President of Student Council, 5th grade
	Chess Club
	played piano at Christmas concerts at Roosevelt
	Junior Great Books
	Science Fair 3rd 4th, 5th & 6th grades

Flint's Jobs:
	played piano at wedding 1995
	assists dad with typing reports, completing forms
	assists mom with setting up computer equipment and programs for client's of mom's
	played piano at Christmas programs for senior citizens, at senior citizens center, for music teachers conference

Other:   
	Newspaper article in the Free Press 9/95
   	Sang "Henry the 8th" on microphone on river boat cruise at Wisconsin Dells 7/92
	Played calliope at Circus World 7/92
	Played accordion at MGM Studios, Orlando, FL 7/93
	appeared on ESPN while at Sports Camp, 1994

Pre-Schools:  
	Open Arms
	Partners In Care
	Children's House

Vacations:	Albuquerque, NM 9/85
		Nashville/Memphis, TN 6/86
		Lake Superior Circle Route & Mackinac Island 7/87
		New York City 7/88
		Niagara Falls, Canada 7/89
		Rapid City, SD & Devils Tower, WY 7/90
		Wisconsin Dells, WI 7/92
		Orlando, FL 7/93
		Las Vegas, NV 7/94
		Las Vegas, NV 7/95
		Washington DC 7/96

Concerts/Plays
		Phantom of the Opera
		EFX 7/95
		Neil Diamond 7/90 & 2/92
		John Denver (2 times)
		Barry Manilow (2 times)
		The Beach Boys 6/95
		The Monkees  8/86 & 8/96
		Kenny Rogers 12/95 & 12/96
		Peter Noone 8/96
		Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 6/95
		Ice Capades 2/95 & 2/97
		Ladies Ryder's Ice skating Championship 10/95
		Lorie Line 12/96

Pets:	Nimi (greyhound) hit by car
		Strobe Bounder (greyhound) died at age 9 from cancer in 			legs, 12/29/90
		Amber (greyhound) gave away because she could not adjust 			to our home got her 1/91 and gave away 6/91
		Missy (greyhound) got her in 7/91
		Summer (cat) got her in 9/93
		Minnie (cat) died 3/20/85 of a stroke
		Sugar, Spice & Penny (cats) gave away 1986
		Patches (guinea pig) died 

Relatives:
	Siblings (from Dad's first marriage to Elaine):
	Brother: Bobby (Robert) Million  DOB 6/27/67
	Sister:  Brenda Million  DOB 12/1/73
	Sister:  Laura Million   died at age of 4½ months old, 10/75

	Grandparents:
	Great Grandmother Bessie Neigeborn (maternal) DOB 12/31/1910, died 8/6/84. worked in a luncheonette and school lunchroom aide
	Grandmother Thelma Toonkel (maternal) DOB 4/9/1929, lives in Bronx, NY. Works at Board of Elections 
	Grandfather Meyer Toonkel (maternal)  DOB 4/27/1919, died 2/22/85. worked as a plumber.
	Grandmother Dorothy Million (fraternal) DOB 8/4/1914. Now lives in Las Cruces, NM. worked as a lab technician
	Grandfather Guy Million (fraternal)  DOB 2/1899  died 2/67
		worked as an electrical engineer
	Great Grandfather Arthur (Art) Cyr (fraternal). was an train engineer. died
	Great Grandmother Stella Sandberg (fraternal). Lives in a nursing home in Two Harbors, MN. second wife of Art Cyr

	Aunts and Uncles
	Luba Sato, DOB 10/30/56 married to Katsumi Sato DOB 3/30/52
	married 1/30/84. Live in Bronx, NY. Luba is a housing assistant. Katsumi is unemployed at present. Katsumi and Luba were penpals. Katsumi moved here from Japan to marry Luba. Luba is Maureen's sister.
	David Toonkel, DOB 9/28/60, divorced from Janet. Lives in Salisbury Mills, NY. works as a plumber. David is Maureen's brother.
	Betty Johnson, husband Quenton died. Lives in Rohnert Park, CA. Retired. Betty is Dennis' sister.
	Burrell Million, married to Ruth Million. Live in Carlsbad, CA and part time in Shoreview, MN. retired. Burrell worked for telephone co. Burrell is Dennis' brother
	Faye Rogers, married to Will Rogers. Live in Duluth, MN
		Faye is Dennis' brother. Will was a tugboat operated.
	Wayne Million, married to Diane Million. Live in Duluth, MN Wayne is Dennis' brother. Wayne is retired, did work as a burglar alarm installer.
	Frank Perfetto, married to Pat Perfetto. Live in Gonzales, TX
		Frank is Dennis' brother. worked at power company and farming, beef cattle.
	Audrey Whitman, married to Melvin (Bud) Whitman. Live in Council Bluffs, IA. Bud is a truck driver. Audrey works as office manager in a probation office. Audrey is Dennis' sister.
	Arthur (Art) Million, married to Sandie Million. Live in Albuquerque, NM. Art worked for Honeywell, semi retired. Art is Dennis' brother
	Jeanne Krenk, divorced. Lives in Georgia. Works as a financial worker. Dennis' sister.
	Dewey Million, DOB 4/7/42. Died 5/68 from a brain hemorrhage. Dennis's twin brother.
	Great Great Great Uncle Louie Cyr. died. Was the world's strongest man in the early 1900's. There is a book written about him called the Strongest Man who Ever lived.
	Great Uncle Milton and Great Aunt Rhoda Toonkel. Uncle Milty lives in Stony Point, NY. works as a plumber. Remarried. Aunt Rhoda died 1982 of a massive stroke. Uncle Milty is Grandfather Meyer Toonkel's brother.
	Benjamin Toonkel & Iris - newly discovered brother and sister of Maureen. Discovered this during vacation to Washington DC 1996. Grandfather Meyer Toonkel had two previous wives and two children. Benjamin DOB 3/46 - died 9/6/98 in Viet Nam.

	Cousins:
	Melissa Beth Toonkel, DOB 8/22/84. Uncle David's daughter. Lives with Uncle David in Salisbury Mills, NY
	Steve Million, Uncle Burrell & Aunt Ruth's son. Steve is married to Andie and they have 2 children. Live in Twin Cities.
	Tracy, Jodie, Steve, Annette - children of Uncle Art & Aunt Sandie.  Tracy is single & lives in NM. Steve lives in the Twin Cities. Annette is married to Kevin and they have 2 children, live in NM.  Jodie is married lives in NM and has 3 children.
	Leah, Kristi, Rachel, Julie - children of Aunt Jeanne. Julie is divorced and has a daughter, Jeanne. She lives in Georgia
	Guy and Lee Million - children of Aunt Audrey & Uncle Bud. Guy is married to Shelly and the have a daughter Maggie. They live in Omaha, NE and are teachers. Lee died in a motor cycle accident, 1990.
	John and Phil Perfetto - children of Aunt Pat and Uncle Frank. They live in Texas. Both are married.
	Gayle and Kathy - children of Aunt Betty. Gayle is married and 	lives in CA. Kathy is single and lives in CA.
	Chris and ? - daughters of Aunt Faye and Uncle Will. Live in Northern MN
	Doreen & Pam - children of Uncle Wayne and Aunt Diane. Both are married and live in Duluth, MN.
	Culman (Carl Schwartz) DOB 4/26 4th cousin on mom's side. Lives in New York, NY. Has cerebral palsy.
	Robert Siedel, 4th cousin on mom's side. Lives in Oregon. Married to Dorene (who is from New Zealand). has two children from first marriage. Owns a cosmetic company.
	Wayne & Neil Toonkel, second cousins (maternal). children of Uncle Milty & Aunt Rhoda. Wayne  DOB 5/20/54 lives in Wayne, NJ. Married for the second time on 9/29/96 to Judy. Wayne works as parts inspector for airplanes. Has a daughter from first marriage, Rachel. Neil DOB 6/2/56, died of cancer in 8/92.
	Becky Toonkel, cousin. Lives in Miami, FL. Attending Harvard University in Boston, MA as a pre-med student.

Dad's Background:

	Born: April 7,1942 in Duluth, MN, 3 months premature, twin, weighed 2 lbs 5 oz. Dewey weighed 2 lbs 3 oz. Dewey was born 10 minutes earlier. second youngest of 10 children.

	Health: Due to premature birth was placed in incubator with 100% oxygen. This damaged the retinas and caused cataracts to form. The condition was know as RLF but now is called ROP. Several cataract surgeries were preformed. has been legally blind entire life.

	School: attended with twin brother, the Minnesota Braille and Sight Saving School (now known as the Minnesota Academy for the Blind) in Faribault, MN from Kindergarten to grade 12. Graduated 1963.

	College: Attended Mankato State University 1964-1968. BA in Biology with minor in psychology.  Attended Mankato Sate University 1978-81, earned MS degree in rehabilitation counseling.

	Employment: Rehabilitation counselor O & M instructor, Metropolitan Atlanta Association for the Blind, Atlanta, Georgia.

	Rehabilitation counselor/home teacher, Services for the Blind, Mankato, MN

	Director of Eclipse, Mankato


Mom's Background:

	Born: November 12, 1953, 12:02 AM Bronx, NY, weighed 8 lbs 4 oz. Oldest of 3 children.

	School: attended PS 6 & PS 105 (elementary school), JHS 127 and Evander Childs High School, all in the Bronx. Graduated HS 6/71

	College: attended Hunter College, New York City, 1971-76. BA degree in psychology with minor in sociology. Attended Mankato State University 1976-77, earned MS degree in rehabilitation counseling.

	Employment: Rehabilitation counselor at Services for the Blind, Mankato, MN 	since 1977.

	Family Background: Grandparents on both sides were from Russia 	and immigrated to USA in early 1900's. 


Additional Adoption Information

Date of Birth:	 	May 14, 1983 at 18:08

Place of Birth:	Kim Yong Kyung's Gyn & Obs., Busan, South Korea

Birth Weight:		3.6kg

Birth Length:		53cm

Name:			Kyung Sub AHN

Meaning of name:	Kyung = Auspicious
				Sub   = Harmonious

Name given by:		Social Welfare Society worker

South Korean Adoption Agency: Social Welfare Society, Inc. (SWS), South Korea

American Adoption Agency:  Children's Home Society, St. Paul, MN


Important Dates:
	5/19/83	moved from SWS in Busan to SWS Baby's Reception Home 			in Seoul

	7/12/83	hospitalized at Han Suh Hospital for indigestion

	10/29 - 11/2/83 hospitalized at Han Suh Hospital for severe cough and diarrhea

	11/2/83	Moved to foster home. 

	11/83	Moved to new foster home. Foster mother was Ok Ryeo KIM. 

	2/84		first two teeth


Early Habits:

	Sleeping habits: stayed up all night and slept during the day. Eventually was trained to sleep at 11PM to 7AM.

	Eating Habits: 280cc (one bottle) of milk mixed with some rice gruel and vitamins every four hours.  One spoon of rice mixed with soup 3 times a day.  Snacks: cookies, tomato

	Early speech: said Um-ma (mama) and Ab-pa (daddy) when hugged. 	Had a loud voice.

	First Korean words: Um-ma (mama)
					Ab-pa (daddy)
					Mamma (food)
					Oebuba (I want to be carried on someone's 						    back)	

	Favorite Games: baby's hand clapping game and hand grabbing game


Immunizations (in Korea): D.P.T  & Polio - 10/15/83, 12/20/83, 3/22/84

					 Measles (MMR) - 2/22/84



Appendix A, part 2: Family Tree Information


Toonkel Family Tree (fraternal)

Benjamin & ? Toonkel lived in Russia. They had son Frank, daughter Rose and another son. Frank married Rebecca.Frank and Rebecca, Rose and other brother came to the USA.  
Rose married ? Meneker. They had 2 sons, Ruby & ? 
Other brother had 3 children: Irving, Joe, Elsie. Elsie married ? Newman. Joe married ?. Irving married Rose and they had 2 children: Herbert and Eileen. Herbert married Marilyn and they had Marc. Eileen married Julius Friedman. 
Frank married Rebecca Eisenstadt and they had 2 sons: Meyer and Milton.  Frank and Rebecca died.
Milton married Rhoda and they had 2 sons Wayne Ira and Neil Scott. Rhoda died. Milton married Sylvia who died. He married again and she died. He is now married to Helen. Wayne married Diane and had a daughter Rachel.Wayne divorced Diane and married Judy.Neil died.
Meyer married and had a daughter, Iris. Marriage was annulled
He married Florence and they had a son Benjamin Richard Toonkel. He died. Divorced Florence. Married Thelma Neigeborn. Meyer and Thelma had 3 children Maureen Ellen, Luba Debra and David Irwin.  Meyer died.
Maureen married Dennis Million and they have one son, Flint Million. Dennis had a previous marriage to ElaineEdley Shelstad.They had 3 children: Robert Charles, Brenda Erin and Laura Elaine. Laura died.
Luba married Katsumi Sato. They do not have children.
David married Janet Levy. They had one child Melissa Beth. They divorced.


Toonkel Family Tree (maternal)

Bella and Yitzkhac Bitterman came to the USA about 100 years ago from Russia. Bella helped bring her brother Benjamin Cooperman to the USA. Benjamin later arranged to bring his wife, Pearl and their children to the USA. Pearl & Benjamin Cooperman (also known as Perrel & Berrel had 8 children. They left Russia on a boat to come to the USA. Two children (boy & girl) died on the boat. Surviving children: Mary, Leah, Fanny, Louie, Harry, and Charles
Benjamin's sister Bella Cooperman married Abbie (also known as Yitzkhac) Bitterman. They had 3 children: Ida, Harry and Fanny. Fanny had 5 kids: Howie, Jerry, Inez  etc. 
Mary married David Cohen. They had one child Bessie. Bessie married Ruben Neigeborn.  Mary and David died.
uby's father was Samuel Neigeborn. He came to the USA from Austria. Samuel married ? and had 4 children: Ruby, Louis, Ann and Yetta. Louie changed his name to Negelborn married Bella and they had two children: Muriel and Bernice. Bella died and Louie married Selma. Bernice married Herbert Gilbert.  Yetta married Sam Feldman and they had 3 children:  Brian, Irwin (Cookie) and Ann. Ann married ? and had 2 children: Barbara & a son. 
Bessie and Ruby had one child Thelma. They divorced. Ruby changed his name to Newman and married Rose. Thelma married Meyer Toonkel. They had 3 children Maureen Ellen, Luba Debra and David Irwin. Maureen married Dennis and they had one child, Flint Dewey. (Dennis has 3 children first marriage to Elaine, Robert, Brenda and Laura. Laura died in infancy). Luba married Katsumi Sato. David married Janet Levy and they had one child, Melissa Beth. They divorced. Bessie, Ruby & Meyer died.
Fanny married Isidore. Had one son Joseph Azar. Joe married Laura. They had two children, Barry & Irwin Brian. Fanny & Isidore died.
Leah married Sam Silverberg and had one child, Sylvia. Leah's husband died of pneumonia and she married Sam Schwartz. They had one child, Carl (Culman). Leah and Sam Schwartz died. Sylvia married Nathan Siedel. They had two children Michael and Robert. Sylvia died and Natey married Martha. Michael married Diana but marriage was annulled. Michael married Marcie and had a daughter, Leah. Michael died. Robert married Charlotte Baggerman and had two children, Isaac and Ilana. Robert divorced. He married Dorene. Dorene has children from a first marriage. 
Harry married Yetta. They had one child, Molly. Molly married Isidore (Izzie) Gutman. They had two children, Jared and Susan. Susan married Barry Niss and they had two children, Heather and Melissa. Jared married. Harry, Yetta, Isidore died.
Louis changed his name to Keeperman. Louis married Faye. They had a child, Aaron. Faye died. Louis married Betty but divorced. He married another Betty. Aaron married Edna. They had 3 children, Judy, Ira and Fran. Judy married Sheldon. Louie died.
Charles married Minnie and had a child, Tillie. Tillie married Milton Krueger.  They had 3 children, Beryl, Phyllis, Solomon. Charles died. 



Million Family Tree (fraternal)
Burrell Million & Jessie English married, had 5 children: Charles Guy (known as Guy), Clarence (called Bud) Nell, Ellen and a son who died as a child. 
Bud married Celia and they had a son Robert and a daughter. Robert died. Bud and Celia died.
Nell married Elmer Biggs. They did not have children. Both died.
Ellen married Archie ? and thet had a daughter Marilyn.  Ellen married Bob Court and they had two sons Jack and Robert. Both are married. Marilyn married Warren Yonglove. They had two sons David and Steven and two granddaughters Amber and Brandi. Marilyn died. Ellen died.
Guy married and Ethell Long and they had one child, Betty. He divorced. Married Evelyn Carlson. Evelyn had a brother Floyd who was married but no children. Guy & Evelyn had 3 children Faye, Wayne & Burrell. Evelyn died in childbirth. Guy married Dorothy Mae Cyr. They had Audrey, Arthur, Dewey, Dennis and Jeanne. Dorothy had a son from a first marriage to Frank John Perfetto. Dorothy and Frank had a son Frank Perfetto. 
Betty married Quenton Johnson and they had 3 daughters Carol, Kathy & Gayle. Carol died at age 8. Quenton died. Gayle married Jim Peebles and they had 3 children: Andrew Quenton,  David Bradley, Joelle Kathleen.  Andrew married Diane Lee and had twins Alanna & James. David married Katrina. They are expecting a child. Joelle married Michael Blick. They have no children.
Faye married Philip Slyvester. They had a daughter Chris. Phil died. Faye married Will Rogers. Will had a daughter from a first marriage, Peggy. Chris married Mark Edberg and had a daughter Ashley, Kindra. She divorced. Chris married Brent Paulson and they have a daughter Kindra.
Wayne married Diane Lindstrom. They had two children Doreen & Pam. Doreen married Don Wuebkers and they have a daughter, Dena and a son, David. Pam married Colin Hayes and they have 2 kids: Jennifier & Kevin.
Burrell married Nancy. They divorced. Burrell married Ruth. She had an adopted son Steve. Burrell adopted Steve. Steve married Andriette (Andi) and they had 3 children, daughters Kelly and Katie and son Andrew.
Art married Sandie. Art adopted Sandie's 3 children from her first marriage, Tracy, Jodie & Steve. Art and Sandie had one child, Annette.  Jodie married Sean Smith and had 2 daughters: Shannon and Betsy. She divorced and married Robert Murray. They had one daughter, Alisa. She divorced and married Edward Castorena. They are expecting a child. Annette married Kevin DeGraaf and they have 2 sons, Everett and Todd. Steve has a daughter Sandra. 
Frank married Patricia Early. They had 2 sons John and Philip. John married Delores. They do not have children. John married Maryanna and they have 3 daughters: Sarah, Charity andRebecca.
Audrey married Melvin (Bud) Whitman. They had 2 sons, Lee and Guy. Guy married Michelle (Shelly) and they have a daughter Maggie. Lee died.
Jeanne married Michael John. They had two daughters, Julie and Rachel. They divorced and Jeanne married Carey Krenk. They had 2 daughters: Kristi, Leah. Jeanne & Carey divorced. Julie married Carl Bowling and they had daughter Jeanne. They divorced. Rachel married Michael DeBruces. Kristi married Mark Brinson and they have a daughter Savannah. Leah married Tony Berry and they have a daughter Kaylynn.
Dennis Charles married Elaine Edley Shelstad. They had 3 children Robert Charles, Brenda Erin and Laura Elaine. Laura died. They divorced. Dennis married Maureen Toonkel. They had one child, Flint Dewey Million. Robert has two children, Robert and Cassandra.
Dewey died at age 26.


Million Family Tree (maternal)

Noel Cyr married Laura and they had a son Arthur Louis Cyr. Arthur Cyr married Hilda Peterson. They had a daughter Dorothy Mae. Hilda died. Arthur married Jenny Peterson and they had Arthur Eugene (called Gene). Jenny died. Arthur married for a third time to Stella Peterson . Art died and Stella remarried, to Carl Sanberg. Carl died. Stella had a son and a daughter (Carol) from a first marriage. Carol died.
Gene married Carol Jensen. They had one son Brian. Gene died in his 20's. 
Dorothy married Frank John Perfetto. He died in car accident during first year. After Frank John's death, Dorothy had their child Frank. Frank's mother was Mary and father was John. He had 2 brothers: Philip and Michael and 2 sisters Philmena and Ilaria. Philmena married Olf Larsen. They divorced and she married Tommy ?. Illaria married Mr. McNickel and they had 5 kids: Michael, Mary, Alice, David & Karen. Philip had no children. Michael married Miss Burkson and had one son. Michael's wife died and he married Emma. Emma and Michael had 2 girls and 2 boys.  Dorothy married Guy Million and had 5 children: Audrey, Arthur, Dewey, Dennis & Jeanne. Guy had 4 children (Betty, Faye, Wayne & Burrell) from 2 first marriages. Guy died.
The Strongest Man in the World, Louis Cyr was the first cousin to Noel Cyr.  



Hebrew Names from Toonkel Family
Bessie Cohen Neigeborn - Hebrew name: Basha
Rebecca Eisenstadt Toonkel - Hebrew name: Belia
Thelma Neigeborn Toonkel - Hebrew name: Temme
Frank Toonkel - Hebrew name: Effrim
Joseph Azar - Hebrew name: Yussel
David Cohen and David Toonkel - Hebrew name: Duvid
Mary Cooperman Cohen & Maureen Toonkel: Hebrew name: Myra or Marriam
Luba Toonkel Sato - Hebrew name: Liba
Harry Cooperman - Hebrew name: Herschel or Hrschl
Milton Toonkel - Hebrew name: Motel
Molly Cooperman Gutman - Hebrew name: Molka
Meyer Toonkel & Neil Toonkel - Hebrew name: Yukeil
Fanny Cooperman Azar - Hebrew name: Fayge or Fagela
Carl Schwartz - Hebrew name: Culman
Charles Cooperman - Hebrew name: Shlmo



Appendix B: Autobiography Project Checklist

This checklist was used to make sure everything gets done:

Do a Las Vegas chapter
Do a friends chapter
Do an Other Vacations chapter
Give chapters their names
Decide the order of the chapters
Write Introduction
Write Conclusion
Organize photos and documents
Examine Louis Cyr’s family tree before printing
Print family trees:
		- Neigeborn (Samuel Neigeborn)
		- Toonkel (Benjamin Toonkel)
		- Cooperman
		- Cyr (Noel Cyr’s father)
		- Million
Print out shorter Family Tree
Complete required attachment
Print out pictures
Print out chapters
Place in protective sheets and binder
Scan Science Fair ribbon
Complete biographies and print out as many as we can
Find photos of Wayne, Burrell, Ruth, Alexis, and Jim
Proofread all chapters
Do Acknowledgements
Print dedication
Write ancestors chapter and include biographies
Add District 77 somewhere before Blind Experience chapter
Scan photos 
Create appendixes



Appendix C: Word Counts

Title						Words

1. Title page	
2. Dedication
3. Introduction				245
4. My Ancestors				633
5. Family Trees
6. Biographies
7. All About My Parents			497
8. Arriving in the U.S.A.			1,170
9. A Hidden Family Member ...
	Unexpectedly Revealed!		589
10. My Life in School			433
11. My Experience as a Blind
	Individual in District 77		681
12. The Scientist Side of
	Flint Million				383
13. Is It Really Broken?			686
14. My Friends				604
15. My Magic Fingers			509
16. Computer Applications		633
17. Furry Companions			477
18. A Visit with Mickey Mouse		1,871
19. The Lion Sleeps Tonight		643
20. Hello President Clinton!		1,530
21. On the Go				865
22. The Great Minnesota
	Get-together				400
23. A Dream Come True			442 
24. Closing					228
25. Appendix A: Information Sheets
26. Appendix B: Project Checklist
27. Appendix C: Required Sheet
	and Word Counts
Grand Total				13,519




This is the end of the autobiography.