Published Sunday January 22, 2006 McCook teen gets surprise gift BY ELIZABETH AHLIN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

		RELATED STORY
		»	Lack of arm doesn't stop teen lifeguard

A teary-eyed McCook, Neb., teenager received a big surprise Saturday in Omaha.

Sable Carfield, 15, fights back tears as she receives a laptop computer Saturday from Christopher Ewing of the Hang On to the Dream Foundation. Sable was born with a partial left arm and no right arm, but recently was certified as a lifeguard.

One minute, 15-year-old Sable Carfield was part of the crowd at Westroads Mall, watching other kids in a music competition. The next, she was standing in front of the group, accepting a new laptop computer that can be operated with her voice.

For Sable, born without a right arm and with only a partial left arm, this was a welcome gift.

"It's a great feeling to have that love," Sable said of the gift. "It's very exciting."

The laptop was provided by the Hang On to the Dream Foundation, based in Troy, Mich.

The group's founder, Christopher Ewing, read about Sable in a newspaper article.

In the article, Sable, who recently became a certified lifeguard, detailed the way she can use her legs to flip over a body in the water and perform CPR with her mouth and feet.

"You blow me away," Ewing said to Sable. "You rock, girl, you rock."

Ewing was so impressed with her determination that he wanted to help. He called Sable's mother, Lori Carfield, who told him Sable needed a computer that was compatible with a voice control system.

With the computer, Sable will be able to record class notes and compose school assignments just by speaking into a microphone.

"I'm so proud that she has reached so many people," Lori Carfield said.

The Hang On to the Dream Foundation's mission is to help children pursue their goals.

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