UCP Amassador: Lucy

At 20 months of age, our daughter had less than 10 words of speech and only a few more in sign language. Communication was a barrier for her not a bridge.

Lucy came home to the US from China at 13 months of age and was thrust into a world of English speakers eager to love her but with whom she could not communicate verbally. She had heard only Chinese from birth to 13 months and was struggling to learn to speak while learning a new language at the same time.

In January, Ann, UCP Service Coordinator/Developmental Specialist, set up a program for Lucy. Some objectives of this program were to get Lucy to cry less, to decrease her frustration with not being able to communicate, and to have her using 50 to 100 words within 6 months.

Lucy and Ann were fast friends from the moment they met. The time they spent together was a complete joy to Lucy. With Lucy going through Ann’s bag of learning games and Ann being charmed by our amazing daughter. Ann came to our home to work with Lucy. She arranged to have other therapists evaluate Lucy to rule out any other delays or causes for Lucy’s level of frustration assessing skills such as fine motor, gross motor, eating, and the need for physical and occupational therapy, etc..

In the first few visits, Lucy learned new words. “Why” and “mine” topped the list and were the source of constant conversation between mother and daughter. Ann’s next visit was welcomed as we were more than eager for new words as “why” and “mine” had been used to excess by our curious daughter.

By summer (6 months later), Lucy was using over 100 words. Lucy could tell me her needs and I could meet them. She was laughing, laughing! She still cried but more along the lines of a normal toddler and not at every attempt to communicate. Articulation was still difficult and she was mostly understood by mom, not so much by strangers, but we were communicating!

Our new goals were to increase Lucy’s attention span to an age appropriate level and to work on articulation.

We started an articulation immersion program in the spring. By the next summer, Lucy was telling stories to strangers in the grocery store. She could toddle off to a clerk and come back with the item of her desire – a balloon. She could even find a waiter, request more of the rolls she loved, and have them delivered to our table. All under mom’s watchful eye but with no assistance, no translator, no speaking for her – “she said she wants a ….”

Our daughter continues to grow and blossom and brighten the days of all she meets. She is becoming the wonder that is Lucy. UCP helped us through the first very bumpy phases of meeting our daughter’s unique needs and our family is happy. What can you say to that?

- Lucy’s Mom, Anne

UCP Ambassador: Miles

 

Miles has received services from UCP since he was 3 months old (he is now  18!). He has a few friends who began therapy as babies and are still going as young adults. For this reason, UCP is like a part of our extended family.  Miles’ brother is employed by UCP as a respite provider. It is nice to have such a wonderful place and people who care for our son, Miles.

- Miles’ Parents, Max and Marnie

UCP Ambassador: Ethan

Ethan is a 4 1/2 years old and attends Paradise Valley Sun Kids Preschool. Ethan has received services at UCP for 2 ½ years. He currently receives physical therapy once a week, speech therapy once a week and occupational therapy twice a week.

Ethan loves Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends. He also loves to tease people, tell jokes, be silly and make people laugh. People are amazed and charmed by Ethan’s wit, intelligence and personality.

“Because of UCP, Ethan has the confidence and ability to play with his peers despite his disability of cerebral palsy”.

Ethan’s mother states “I have complete confidence that Ethan’s ability will increase as UCP continues to provide the excellent therapy and services. I am forever grateful to UCP and I know Ethan’s future is bright”.

- Ethan’s Mom, Suzan

UCP Ambassador: John

John is a 45 year-old man who has spastic quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, moderate mental retardation, and Epilepsy (which is under control with medications). He is generally a happy person and he loves being around people. John loves watching TV. He likes Good Times, Andy Griffith and All in the Family, all oldies but goodies! Some of his other favorite interests are going to his day program at Gompers, where he’s been for 20 years, going to the zoo, shopping, and target shooting.

John began living with his caregivers, Tony and Tammy, eight years ago in April when his mother passed away suddenly. His father had died many years earlier, and he had no siblings to care for him. Tony and Tammy have known John since 1990 when he began attending a Sunday school class for people with disabilities that they were teaching. Since John has been with his caregivers he has had a better quality of life and health than in past years. He’s been able to do things that he never did before in his life.

Both Tony and Tammy work for UCP, which has allowed John many opportunities. Tammy says,

“In 2003 we as a family, moved from another agency to UCP; Tony as the main caregiver; I as Tony’s backup; and our daughter and son-in-law as respite caregivers for us. We had called around to many other agencies, but UCP offered the most for our family. And at UCP the consumers really are important, which is important to us! We were so impressed with UCP that I began working at UCP as the Home & Community Based Services Assistant Program Manager, where I was later promoted to Program Manager. In 2005 Tony began working as the provider trainer for UCP. None of us plan on working anywhere but UCP.”

“John loves being a part of anything that we do; especially events and activities connected with UCP.”

- John’s Caregivers, Tammy and Tony

UCP Ambassador: Dae’vionte

Dae’vionte (Dae) is a loving 3 year old who is diagnosed with Septo-Optic Dysplasia, Critical Visual Impairments, malformations of the brain, and significant developmental delays.  Despite his disabilities, he is a vivacious little boy who loves to explore new things.  He enjoys spending time outside and especially loves to swing, slide, and crawl under anything humanly possible.  His personality and high spirits seem to touch the hearts of everyone he encounters and leaves them smiling.

Dae’vionte has been attending UCP’s Early Learning Center for 1 ½ years and has made many great strides since his arrival.  At first starting UCP, Dae’vionte was unable to independently walk.  Within a month or so he was off and walking.  This accomplishment served as a big milestone for him and with it came a new found sense of independence and mobility, which prompted him to explore many things that he had once feared.

UCP has created an environment in which he is constantly interacting with a diverse group of peers, which teaches him many new things and often motivates him to try and achieve things his disabilities inhibit or hinder.  UCP has helped to create structure in his life and is continuing to help him learn the necessary skills to lead an average life despite his disabilities.  The services offered by UCP have been a warm welcoming addition to our lives and they have served us in an equal and inclusive manner.  UCP has not allowed Dae’vionte’s disability define who he is and have an optimistic outlook for his potential.

With the continuation of support from programs at UCP and Dae’s determination we have no doubt in our minds and hearts that one day he will be enjoying and doing many more similar things as those his age.  Dae’vionte’s continual success and goals accomplished are an excellent example of UCP’s motto and purpose “Life without Limits for People with Disabilities.”

To date, Dae’vionte has mastered one phrase, which is “Uh-oh”, we like to think that it is his way of telling people who choose to define him based on his disabilities that “Uh-oh” they are wrong about him, and he CAN and WILL accomplish many things.

– Dae’vionte’s Parents, Tashira and Mitchell

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