‘Thanksgiving is a good day to recommit our energies to giving thanks and just giving.’—Amy Grant

My Educarte team and I have much to be grateful for this holiday season. Our list is topped by the many friends, partners, and supporters on both sides of the border who make our work possible. This month I wanted to introduce you to three very special young people hoping to find support to be able to continue receiving the professional services they desperately need to reach their potential and participate fully in life.

MEET ANDREA

Hi, my name is Andrea. I am 14 years old, and I have Spina Bifida. I like painting and singing, and I want to be a doctor when I grow up. Due to my condition, I am unable to walk and so I use a wheelchair to get around. A few years ago, I hit my head very hard and was in a coma for a month. I ended up having damage to my brain and so now, in addition to a physical disability, I also have cognitive delays.

How you can help: To overcome my many challenges, I need consistent physical therapy as well as access to special education. My mother stays home to care for me and my 3 siblings and my dad works full-time earning $120 USD a week. Although we can survive off my father’s salary, my parents are not able to pay for the special support I need.

MEET ALISON

Hi, my name is Alison. I am five years old and have a rare condition called Dandy-Walker Syndrome. I love pretend play and getting stickers at therapy. I have two teenage brothers and I live part-time with my mother and part-time with my father. Because of my condition my speech is significantly delayed, and I have poor muscle tone, balance and coordination. A lot of kids like me can’t walk but, thanks to the physical therapy I have received from Educarte, I am able to walk with a walker, one day I hope to walk independently.

How you can help: Without consistent physical therapy I will lose motor skills and may no longer be able to walk. I also need consistent speech therapy so that I can learn to communicate with others. My father earns $160 USD a week working as a janitor, and he is able to meet our family’s basic needs. However, he can’t afford to pay for all the special help I need, and I really want to continue with speech and physical therapies.

MEET ARTURO

Hi, my name is Arturo. I am 14 years old and I have Tourette’s Syndrome and Autism. I love drawing and I am a great dancer. Since I entered the Educarte program I have received speech, occupational and physical therapy. In March I started attending Educarte’s new private school for kids like me. In just eight months I have become much more social and, academically, I have advanced from first to third grade level.

My father works full-time at a hardware store and my mother works cleaning houses. Although they work very hard and are able to take care of our basic needs, my parents do not earn enough to pay for my special education and therapies. My teachers say it is very important to me to be able to continue receiving regular therapies—especially speech therapy since I stutter and have other language delays.

WILL YOU HELP?