Tree of Hope 11-03
Updated: November 3, 2011
The Developmental Services Center kicked off their largest fundraiser of the year, the "Tree of Hope" lighting, on Thursday.
Every time a bulb is lit on the center's "Tree of Hope," money will go towards their mission to provide services and support to individuals with disabilities to help them work, learn and participate in their communities.
When the Johnson family found out that their 3-year-old child, Zoe, had cerebral palsy, they were hopeless.
"Imagine you're on an obstacle course and the lights go out, and you don't know what direction to go with your child," said Zoe's mother, Kinetta Johnson.
The DSC, however, helped them take the necessary steps to help Zoe grow.
"One of the first things the DSC asked us was: does she have a walker? And, she didn't. So, the next week they brought walkers, and she was finally able to explore things," Kinetta said. "It's given her a lot of more freedom to be mobile."
The DSC also helped the family get support from a speech therapist and a physical therapist.
"They've been a tremendous blessing to us," said Zoe's father, Mathew Johnson.
With the help she needed from the therapy to the walker, Zoe is now able to navigate her way through any obstacle.
"You know what I realized is that she has always had the ability to do these things, she just needed the opportunity and now it's here," Kinetta said.
The "Tree of Hope" shines for families like the Johnsons and with every lit bulb, donations go toward lighting up a brighter future for people like Zoe.
To make a donation to the "Tree of Hope," visit: www.dsc-illinois.org
Every time a bulb is lit on the center's "Tree of Hope," money will go towards their mission to provide services and support to individuals with disabilities to help them work, learn and participate in their communities.
When the Johnson family found out that their 3-year-old child, Zoe, had cerebral palsy, they were hopeless.
"Imagine you're on an obstacle course and the lights go out, and you don't know what direction to go with your child," said Zoe's mother, Kinetta Johnson.
The DSC, however, helped them take the necessary steps to help Zoe grow.
"One of the first things the DSC asked us was: does she have a walker? And, she didn't. So, the next week they brought walkers, and she was finally able to explore things," Kinetta said. "It's given her a lot of more freedom to be mobile."
The DSC also helped the family get support from a speech therapist and a physical therapist.
"They've been a tremendous blessing to us," said Zoe's father, Mathew Johnson.
With the help she needed from the therapy to the walker, Zoe is now able to navigate her way through any obstacle.
"You know what I realized is that she has always had the ability to do these things, she just needed the opportunity and now it's here," Kinetta said.
The "Tree of Hope" shines for families like the Johnsons and with every lit bulb, donations go toward lighting up a brighter future for people like Zoe.
To make a donation to the "Tree of Hope," visit: www.dsc-illinois.org
