EXPLORE BY topic: special needs

Freedom Service Dogs – Taking “Man’s Best Friend” to a Whole New Level!

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It is often said that dogs are man’s best friend. Well, this has never been more true than with a very special group of dogs called Freedom Service Dogs. These dogs, who originally come from shelters, are specially trained to be able to help people with everyday tasks. And the people they help? Disabled veterans! When Freedom [...]

Gillian Lynne – Born to Dance Magically and Help Others Do the Same!

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When Gillian Lynne was a young girl, she struggled in school. She had a hard time focusing and fidgeted a lot, so much so that her mother took her to a doctor to get help. And help the doctor did, but not in the way Gillian’s mother expected……the doctor turned on a radio and left Gillian alone in the [...]

Geeta Castelino – Realizing Her Dreams Despite Her Disability

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When Geeta Castelino was two years old, she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that took away her speech and caused her to lose the use of her feet and her right hand. But Geeta had dreams of a happy life, and she wasn’t going to let her polio get in the way of them. Through therapy, she regained [...]

Ben Comen – Giving His All For a Place to Belong

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When 18-year-old Ben Comen was born with cerebral palsy, his parents thought that their son would never walk. However, Ben saw things differently. His greatest desire was to have a place to belong, and for that Ben was willing to overcome his physical limitations and not just walk but run! Throughout his childhood, Ben tried to [...]

AngelRide – Pedaling With a Powerful Purpose!

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AngelRide is an annual event, held in Connecticut, that truly lives up to its name. AngelRide is a cycling event that began in 2004 to help raise money for kids with cancer. Its name comes from Angela ”Angel” Uihlein, a 20-year-old who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 but now is cancer-free! The people who participate in [...]

World Autism Awareness Day – Shining a Bright Light on Autism

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Do you know anyone with autism? Even if you don’t think you do, chances are that you HAVE encountered an autistic person. That’s because autism occurs on a wide spectrum, with its symptoms ranging from mild to severe. And actually, about 1 in 110 people have this condition! In order to increase recognition of autism [...]

Chrysa Nowell – Bringing New Meaning to the Words “Competitive Athlete”!

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15-year-old Chrysa Nowell is a competitive athlete, swimming on her high school’s swim team. When Chrysa gets in the pool, she doesn’t outswim anyone, and she never places in any of her meets. Yet she is one of the most dedicated and beloved competitors of all. That’s because Chrysa has a disease called arthrogryposis that [...]

Why Can’t Playgrounds Be For Special Needs Kids Too?

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“How come we never see a child with a disability at a park?” This casual remark from the parent of a child with a developmental disability inspired the idea of Kilikili, an organization dedicated to creating play spaces for ALL children, including those with disabilities. The founders of Kilikili realized that while some parks have [...]

Benjamin’s Hope – A Place Where We All Belong

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At 15 months old, Benjamin Mason was a typical toddler with a budding vocabulary and an active curiosity. But then, over the next few months, Benjamin started to withdraw, losing his vocabulary and turning completely inward. Doctors diagnosed Benjamin as having profound autism. Despite his autism, the Masons tried to give Benjamin a normal life. However, his severe autism made it hard for him to participate [...]

Gridiron Heroes – Offering Seeds of Hope to Fallen Athletes

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In 2001, Chris Canales was a star athlete on his high school football team. On November 2, 2001, he was having an incredible game, playing in top form. However, with one tragic hit, that all changed in an instant. That hit paralyzed Chris, ending his football career and altering his life forever. After his paralysis, Chris and his family felt [...]