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Spotlight on Student: Corbin Phillips, Rand Road Elementary

By Sharron Gibson
Education Editor

In the spotlight letter that Rand Road Elementary sent to Wake County Schools, the teachers said, “Corbin Phillips is a remarkable fifth grader who is able to bring a smile to anyone who comes in contact with him. He is a testament to how life’s circumstances do not have to dictate one’s quality of life.” Indeed he is.

Corbin Phillips, with parents Terry and Jeff Phillips

Corbin, the youngest of Jeff and Terry Phillips’s three children, was born with medical issues that required immediate surgery. As an infant, he was a bit behind developmentally, but it was not until he began having seizures at 8 months old that a cause was determined. Doctors’ tests revealed Corbin had suffered a stroke in utero and that the left side of his brain did not develop. Doctors painted a grim picture.

“Their prognosis was not good,” said Terry Phillips. “They said he would be wheelchair bound, and he would be nonverbal, that he would never walk or talk. We started working with Easter Seals and with therapy groups, and he started school full-time at 3.”

Early education was vital for Corbin, who was barely walking when he began preschool at Aversboro Elementary. He only spoke roughly 20 words but used some sign language and a communication device.

After undergoing many surgeries and overcoming obstacles, Corbin has made tremendous progress since his preschool days. As a fifth grader, Corbin requires special education assistance but attends a regular education classroom for part of each day.

His parents have seen tremendous gains in his learning. For instance, he now reads on a fourth grade level. His one-on-one assistant at school, Shanee Robinson, describes him as a smart student with a strong will.

“He is capable of doing anything that he puts his mind to do,” she said. “It is a privilege to work with such a student.”

“The past three years at Rand have been incredible to see the amount of growth that he has gone through,” his mother said. “Looking back at three years ago he has grown tremendously. I think a lot of that has to do with the stability of being in the same school. He was at Ballentine for three years and made huge strides there; and now being here [Rand Road Elementary] for three years, he has done really well.”

Seizure control is still difficult for Corbin. He has a major seizure as often as every three weeks, and medication regulation is difficult as he grows.

However, Corbin, who doctors predicted would not be able to shake hands or play patty-cake, is now an athlete. When his siblings began Tae Kwon Do classes, he told his parents he wanted to give it a try. He is currently the state champion in the special abilities division for his age group and will test for his black belt in August.

He has also played on the Miracle League’s Orioles baseball team for three years. Although blindness in one eye affects his depth perception, he recently began hitting baseballs off of a pitch, rather than a tee.

Corbin is also a people person. He is close to his sister, Courtney, and brother, Carter. He also loves spending Wednesday afternoons with his grandparents, where he plays Frisbee with his grandfather and enjoys his grandmother’s macaroni and cheese, much like any 10-year-old boy.

Jeff Phillips describes his son as a competitive person who does not like to lose at games. Judging from his discovery of the checkerboard at a local coffeehouse, Corbin seems to enjoy playing almost as much as winning.

Typical of children his age, Corbin loves playing with his friends. “His little friends have been great,” his mother said. “He’s got a lot of friends who look out for him, take care of him, play with him, talk to him.”

Corbin, the 10 year old with an infectious smile, freckles and a ready handshake brings a smile to those around him. “Whether it is in the classroom working on a subject area or during recess, playing and socializing with his classmates, there is no other student who can match his enthusiasm for life,” his teachers said. “His smile lights up a room, and his personality warms your heart.”

Related articles:

• Spotlight on Student: Chris Blount, Vandora Springs Elementary
• Spotlight on Student: Zayvon Powell, East Garner Year Round Elementary

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