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| The Navarro family feels they are more unified and cohesive because of services from Abilities United. |
Pauline
Navarro, whose son Ryan is challenged with Down Syndrome and autism, is
an enthusiastic lady who is relentlessly positive.
“It
was 18 years ago that Ryan came into the Infant Program at what is now
Abilities United,” says Pauline. “Having a child with significant
disabilities can be traumatic for the family. Abilities United helps the
family grow the child in the best way possible, and unlike other
programs, helps the family build the unity and cohesiveness that is so
important at such a difficult time.”
“Ryan’s
teacher in the Infant Program told me to enjoy him,” Pauline says of
those days, “and not to be consumed by being his therapist and teacher.
It was wonderful advice and I repeat those words to other parents with a
disabled child; enjoy the happy times.”
When
he was ten years old, Ryan returned to the After-School Program. “The
Abilities United program is a model for the nation,” says Pauline. “The
children are taught social integration skills and taught to have leisure
skills on their own. The impact is enormous.” Pauline pauses as her
voice catches. “Lastly and perhaps most importantly, with Abilities United Ryan has friends; he has a social life. It’s the only place he
can have a birthday party that has any meaning whatsoever to him”
“I’ve
seen many other organizations who work with the disabled,” says
Pauline, “And Abilities United is far and away the best I’ve seen.”
Based on a 2013 interview with Pauline and Ryan Navarro. Written and edited by Bob Thomas, Pauline Navarro, and Wendy Kuehnl.
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