Programs For The Disabled......

......... came out of a frustrated need to provide a place for my daughter, Heidi, to continue her education, social interaction and life skills development post high school.  After seeking services from several resource providers including, state run, in home care nursing services, I found that there were no services available for my daughter post high school.  

Because of the current economic climate, states are forced to slash budgets for programs, including programs that target the disabled.  In Colorado, the state cut the funding to families for programs that cared for their disabled person by 50%.  This is an impossible burden for most families which leaves them to simple day care providers or other options that do not include education and training.  Many of them had to leave their jobs to care for their child.  Add to that the staggering statistic of an 85% rate of divorce in households where one of the children is disabled and the potential for a quality, productive and fruitful life for any member of the family becomes grim.  There are thousands of single parents burdened with the medical challenges, cost of care and the constant worry over the future for their child.  With the spending cuts in education, programs for the special needs community and the cost of health care, we are left to seek ways of caring for these individuals through other inadequate sources.

The goal of this organization is to provide a safe, educational, stimulating environment for these young people to grow and thrive.  Through social interaction, education, life skills training and fun these young people can accomplish things that their parents, doctors, and educators thought were impossible.  The most wonderful part of these young people is they are not bound by their disabilities.  They embrace the fact that it takes practice to be able to accomplish a goal.  They accept challenges with ease because their whole life has been a challenge. 

Doctors were not sure that my daughter would ever walk.  She does.  They were not sure she would be able to hold a conversation with other people or initiate a conversation on a topic of interest to her.  She does.  Without a place to stimulate and challenge them we are keeping them from reaching their potential.  Our goal is to provide centers that operate without relying on state funding.  This means that all the goods and services would have to be provided at minimal cost to those we serve through private grants, business support, community support and fundraising.

The vision for these schools is learning modules inside of a large school.  One modual will be for life skills training which includes everything from sign recognition, learning to do laundry, housekeeping skills, meal preparation, learning to ride a bus, grocery shopping and daily personal care (all based on skill level and personal ability). Another module will focus on reading, basic math (for daily use), writing and cognitive training.  Still another module will focus on art projects including painting, sculpture and craft projects.  With another module focusing on music and movement.  These young people will rotate through portions of the modules during the day and will utilize all of them through the month.  They will be taught responsibility for their surroundings by teaching them to care for the equipment and facilities.  The school will also have an outdoor play yard and garden facilities so that these young people can build gardens and grow flowers and vegetables. 

The need for this type of organization in our community is obvious.  The potential for impacting lives and families is exciting!  The opportunity to watch these wonderful precious hearts learn and grow is a blessing.  They give back a double portion of what they receive through honest, simple, love and joy.  We are seeking information, resources, partners and individuals that want to help a community of special people find hope, strength and a future. 

We would appreciate any assistance you can provide.    THANK YOU!!

For more information on this program or to find out how you can partner with us, e-mail us at heidisong@kingscrossingfoundation.com or visit our donations page for ideas and opportunities to participate with us!