July  2001

Helping Bring a Normal Life to a Special Young Man

Born three months premature and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Linda was told that her son Jonathan would never have an ordinary life. Nearly 21 years later, it seems they were right—he’s had an extraordinary life.

Jonathan has never let his mental and physical handicaps hold him back. While it took him his first 3½ years to master walking, now days he’s running, from 3-legged camp relays to the Special Olympics. He’ll be graduating this coming year from Chisholm Life Skills Center and is currently working at Burlington Coat Factory.

Skill-Building Summer Fun

Jonathan has been attending the Arc of Sedgwick County’s Y.E.S.S. (Youth Educational and Summer Socialization) Program since it began 13 years ago. According to Linda, this United Way-funded program is a major reason for her son’s success.

"Being involved in the Y.E.S.S. Program has made a big difference for Jonathan," says Linda. "It’s enabled him to be where he is today physically and socially…it’s just been his life."

Y.E.S.S is for kids living with developmental disabilities that have some form of mental retardation. Its goal is to help these students retain their education over the summer so that they will be ready to move forward when they return to classes in the fall.

It runs June through August, and each week of the 11-week course has a different theme. That theme is carried out in the morning educational sessions, by USD 259 staff and paraprofessionals, as well as in the afternoon and all-day Friday recreational times.

A Normal Life

"The program really helps these kids fit in with others rather than making them feel set apart," says Linda. "They have the chance to do the normal things in life at whatever level that they are able to do them."

The experience has helped Jonathan have a "regular" teenage life and given him more self-confidence and independence. Because he started in the program so young and has been exposed to so many people and activities, Linda says his social skills have never really suffered.

"Before, Jonathan never had a chance to make many friends, so we never really had a birthday party for him," says Linda. "I still remember after his first year at the program Jonathan came home and started planning who to invite to the party for his next birthday."

Recently, Jonathan received the 2001 "Young Achiever of the Year Award" from The Arc of Sedgwick County. The award recognized Jonathan for all his accomplishments and his ability and determination to overcome his disabilities and become active in the community.

Linda doesn’t want to think about what Jonathan’s life would have been like without this support. She’s grateful that he has had this opportunity to be exposed to so many things.

"This program has been one of the best things in Jonathan’s life," says Linda. "It has made the difference between a life and an existence."

Call United Way of the Plains at 267-1321 to find out more about how your money is helping our community.

United Way-Funded Programs That Care

United Way of the Plains is committed to focusing on the issues that the community cares about most.

The Arc of Sedgwick County’s Y.E.S.S. Program provides solutions that nurture our children and foster their health and independence. Through recreational and classroom activities, youth with special needs are able to improve their social and communications skills while they build their physical abilities.

Y.E.S.S. is one of the many United Way-funded programs that cross multiple Care Areas, meeting multiple needs.