Have you ever realized that the best way to help someone is to know how to help them?  When people see a situation, too often they make assumptions and say "Let me help".  Sometimes their actions no matter how well intended, is not at all what is needed.  It's the same way with equipment.  The best equipment put in the wrong environment and situation can actually be useless.  Four simple words can change everything, "How can I help".  That simple engagement can ignite a spark of hope that over time cannot be contained.  A flame of hope makes anything possible.  That flame, gives the inspiration you need to not give up.  Once you set a goal, you may have to go down several different paths in order to reach your goal.  And as your perspective on life and your personal abilities changes, so will your goals.  And the most important thing is that you keep moving forward, NO MATTER WHAT!

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Hi, I'm Snoopi Botten.  At age 59 and looking back on my life, even though I've touched many people, I haven't changed the world.  Although I get around in a wheelchair and use AAC, those two items are not legally considered my natural way of life.  Although my wheelchair is my legs and I can independently get from place to place, I'm not legally ambulatory.  And although I'm a public speaker and singer through the use of AAC, I'm still legally non-verbal.  So how can anyone change the views of society if we all are legally disabled?  If someone's vision can be corrected with glasses so they are not legally blind, why can't any disability be corrected to the point where they are no longer legally disabled.  For if one can find a way to overcome a disability, how are they disabled?  Personally, I think of myself as "Differently Abled".  True, I can't do things in the same way or as fast as other people, but I can still do them.  And as you browse this website and see people as people, you too will wonder why we are thought to be disabled.

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I have Chronic Inactive Leukemia and other health issues.  Being I almost died 4 times, it's hard for me to go on when I have no idea how much longer I have.  I could have 20 years , or I could die tomorrow.  How do you beat cancer when you will ultimately die?  The answer for me is, you make your mark on life.

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Even though I have a very long list of talents, I want to be remembered as a singer.  I'm not sure how to do that when my way of singing is not legally recognized.  70 percent of the disabled population are abused, yet try to report it using AAC and it won't be taken seriously because their method of communication is not legally recognized.  They have the right to communicate, but not the legal recognition.  You can't be heard if you are not recognized.

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The people united will never be defeated.  Nothing brings people together more than music.  So, I either want to be on AGT, or the X Factor.  I want to share the biggest stage in America, with America.  I want this to be the start of having everyone recognized.  It's not going to magically happen just by my getting on the show.  But it will be a start.  People will be inspired by how far I went with my voice, and I hope it encourages them to keep going.  If my lack of a human  voice didn't stop me from being a singer, what's to stop anyone from becoming anything?

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This website has an e-commerce store where I can nationally sell my artwork for the first time.  It's unique because it was done using a typewriter.  Plus one piece was done using an AAC device called a Liberator.  I also have my music for sale.  My latest item is THE FLAME OF HOPE Mug, found in the store's merchandise.  It's a conversation starter on how to motivate and help people in the right way.

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All sales and donations from this website will help me to fund my trip.   And even if I'm not selected for the show, one person's failure is another person's success.   All that matters is that you try.