Technology allowing Darling to continue studies
Courtesy photo
Despite being home due to Cystinosis, Wills Point Middle School sixth grader Jordan Darling has been able to keep up with his classroom studies through the aid of Region 10’s Reggie’s Robots Program.
Excitement was in the air at Wills Point Middle School as a robot traveled the hallways. Remote technology is allowing Jordan Darling to attend his 6th grade classes at Wills Point Middle School.
Region 10 Education Service Center offers the Reggie’s Robots Program. This program utilizes VGo Robots, an innovative solution that allows students to attend classes via interactive video conferencing while recovering from long-term illness, injury, or other factors requiring the student to be homebound or not able to attend classes with peers.
Jordan has attended Wills Point schools since he was in Pre-K, but he has a chronic disease called Cystinosis. He has undergone many doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, and a kidney transplant. Recently, Jordan’s immune system has gone under attack, which initiated a prolonged hospital stay.
Jordan has come home from the hospital but is unable to attend school, play sports, play outside, or play with other children, not even his own siblings. From home, Jordan can use a computer and mouse to “drive” the robot to each of his classes. In class, he will be able to actively participate in lessons, discussions, and group work. This technology allows Jordan to develop strong teacher and peer relationships, stay socially connected, boost morale providing tangible health benefits, and receive quality instruction without falling behind in coursework.
Jammie Madden, WPISD’s Director of Special Education stated, “Jordan is confined to his bedroom with very limited contact with anyone due to his compromised immune system. We are so fortunate that Region 10 has this device available for students with special health needs to utilize. We thank them for their ability to loan this robot to Jordan.”
Reggie’s Robots are loaned at no cost from the Region 10 Service Center to local school districts on a case-by-case basis, depending on robot availability, length of homebound stay, and physical/mental ability of the student to operate the robot software.
