October 22nd- Erin & Patty

“How can I begin to tell you what a blessing this child has been to me and the joy that she has brought to my life and family?  I knew during my pregnancy that I would be having a child with Ds and was able to meet with a local group of moms and their children with Ds. They gave me such a beautiful visual example of what to expect and that it really wasn’t so scary.

But having the most knowledgeable and supportive therapists during Erin’s early intervention was truly life changing for me and my family. They let us see that even though development is slower and her abilities were a little different, there was still endless possibilities.

Even to this day  Erin continues to show me her endless accomplishments and possibilities. She loves school, music, dance, art, cooking, tennis to name a few- just like any other typically developing child.  Erin is also excited for High School next year, and talks about going to homecoming and also has dreams of going to college. All things she can experience just like any other child.

Our family has  been effected by this child to the extent where I have changed my career form working in business, to now loving working as a teacher’s assistant in a school for autism. I have also become an applied behavior (ABA) therapist. My oldest daughter who just started her 1st year in college was vice president of her high school’s Best Buddies program, working for inclusion and employment for children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. She is currently studying to become a Speech and Language Pathologist at Elmhurst College.

Erin has taught us that there are endless possibilities, and to not put limits on her, or anyone for that matter. The future is bright!”

– Patty, Erin’s mom

Erin enjoys Dance @ Steps, Cooking Club, Art Explosion and Drama Troupe at GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley