News from Dr. E
It is very exciting to be able to see all the exciting things that happen every day here at United Cerebral Palsy. Every day I hear stories from therapists and teachers about the struggles and successes of families, and in each of these stories I see hope in action. One of our greatest accomplishments has been the development of Hand In Hand Early Learning Program. This program has truly been a model program that demonstrates why kids with disabilities and kids without disabilities should be learning side by side. When we first envisioned Hand In Hand, people questioned us as to why we would want to have a preschool program that also served kids without disabilities. Today it is great to see how successful this model has become. Each day as I look out on the playground or look in the classroom, I only see kids learning and kids having fun. One does not see disabilities, but all children living life without limits. This is truly a vision come true that all children are learning that just because you use a wheelchair you are still my friend.
Following is a story from a mom that tells why we should be doing what we are doing. I know it will touch you as it has all of us.
Dr. Gary Edwards
Executive Director
My daughter was born with a rare genetic brain malformation diagnosed as Joubert Syndrome. She was almost 3 1/2 in UCP's Early Learning Program when she took her first steps.
The scene was Group Time and they were doing an exercise related to attendance where each child takes their picture up to the board to indicate the are "in" school - something done in most preschool programs.
The physical therapist worked with the teacher to coordinate her "therapy" with the every day attendance exercise. In another preschool environment it is possible, it would have just been easier on Elizabeth and others to sit her closer to the board, let her use her walker, or even do it for her. SHE never would have walked independently as soon as she did functioning in that environment that lacked the philosophies of UCP.
Elizabeth graduated in 2005 and just successfully finished Kindergarten in a fully inclusive environment. Not only was Hand In Hand instrumental in teaching Elizabeth how to walk but the program has trained me and my husband as parents to "gently" make people realize she is capable and that given a little time and some adaptation she CAN do things for herself. People's instincts and intentions are always so good but doing things for her does not help her in the long run. We chose to send her to a private school and I can honestly tell you that we as a family have affected and opened a lot of eyes with respect to the people with disabilities in the community. A private school after all is part of the community. She has experienced so much of what we wanted her to experience by going to this particular school. We did not want her diagnosis to cheat her of any of that.
All the programs at UCP affect so many lives so positively. Think about the kids in the classroom - those memories of Elizabeth and her success sticks with them. They learn how to accept, to encourage. That classroom is our future community and someday those images will come back to those kids and it gives them more of a chance to do the "right" thing.
I hope this shows the commitment I know this organization has to leading "Lives without Limits."