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"Accept the challenge to meet the needs
of Children with Disabilities
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has helped to raise awareness about children with
special needs, and has encouraged others to
provide those children with the services and
support they need in order to reach their fullest
potential. Special needs children have always been
a passion of mine, and I have served as a voice
for those whose needs are often overlooked.
Research indicates that a minimum of ten percent
of American public school children have a
disability. Furthermore, mental retardation
impacts at least four percent of America’s
children. Regardless of whether a child has mental
retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or autism,
all children deserve the right to participate in
school and community activities. |
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The non-profit organization that I have established, known
as
“Dream Achievers”,
has successfully recruited volunteers to support special
needs children. As a supporter for special needs children,
my message is targeted toward youth of all ages, school
administrators, and employers. My personal mission is to
increase the opportunities for special needs children in
school, sports, and the community. My school program
“Hop To It”
shows how anyone can accomplish their dreams by taking a
series of small steps towards their goals. This program can
be utilized across the state and the nation in helping all
students achieve their dreams. My interactive website “Dream
Achiever” allows students and adults to further understand
ways in which to help others excel. The site includes games
for general population and special needs students to play;
support group forums for siblings and parents; and
information on opportunities for special needs children. I
am encouraging cities around the state to establish a
“Buddy Ball”
Program, of which I serve as a spokesperson, that will allow
special needs kids to be matched with kids from the general
population in sporting events. This program has already
proved to be successful in Burleson. The following concerns
that need to be addressed include: (1) ignorance, (2)
isolation, and (3) poor resources. First, ignorance is the
heart of the problem because there is a lack of
understanding about how to deal with special needs children.
This ignorance causes isolation. Special needs children are
often left out of school and community activities. Special
needs kids often grow up unprepared to function in society
as independent adults because they are often left out of
many activities. Third, poor resources contribute to the
isolation of special needs kids. School and community
programs need additional funding to support expansion of
programs that support special needs programs. My coloring
book “Special To Be Special” allows students to feel good
about helping others by teaching life skills and raising
awareness. I get a lot of pleasure from volunteering with
and serving as an active fundraiser for the Special Olympics
in Texas. Specifically, I have served as a rhythmic movement
and gymnastics coach. I am proud to say that my students
have placed at the national and international level. I have
also had the opportunity to serve as a teacher’s aid and I
have seen first hand the remarkable impact
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