Rachel is a beautiful girl with big blue eyes and the friendliest smile you’ve ever seen. But her diagnoses include autism, cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment so every day presents new challenges.

Rachel’s mother lovingly cared for her daughter at home for many years. But as Rachel grew older and stronger, her frequent outbursts of kicking, biting and banging her head on the floor became difficult to control.

Her mother realized that, regardless of how much she wanted to keep her daughter by her side, Rachel needed more help than she could provide alone. Her daughter needed a more structured environment and an educational plan tailored to her specific needs.

When Rachel arrived at The Hope Institute, a team of doctors, therapists and teachers created personalized education and behavioral modification plans to help her control her aggression, so she could focus on learning and discovering her own unique potential.

Rachel developed valuable social skills while living in one of Hope’s community homes. She enjoyed baking cookies and playing with her housemates and care-givers. And she made wonderful progress in self-help skills like telling time, doing laundry and brushing her hair.

Simple lessons, perhaps, but they’re giant strides for a special girl like Rachel. In fact, everything Rachel’s learned at Hope has prepared her for a successful transition to adult living.

At Hope, Rachel found the care and nurturing she needed to realize a hopeful, and more independent, future.

Rachel’s story is just one example of how your generosity to The Hope Institute provides real hope to special needs children and their families.

Thank you for making hopeful futures possible for Hope’s children. Rachel and all of us at Hope wish you and your loved ones a joyous, meaningful holiday season.

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