Doing Good: ConductABILITY
By: Laine Baker
Updated: April 18, 2011
Born on the Fourth of July - four-year-old Audrey is a triplet. Her parent's excitement over their children's birth was interrupted when Audrey became sick in the hospital.
"We were told she probably wasn't going to make it," said Jack Ford, Audrey's father.
Shortly after - Audrey was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After hearing about the ConductABILITY school in Fayetteville from a friend, Audrey's parents enrolled her for classes.
"They need to learn to live a functional life," said Special Educator, Orsolya Toth - Petho. "There is no limit on these children here."
The school focuses one-on-one on children with motor skill disabilities. Educators teach speaking, self-help - motor - cognative - and social skills. They also work with parents.
"To teach them and tell them 'look your child can do this,'" Toth-Petho said. "You can work on this at home, so this child will grow up to be a better, healthier happier person."
"It's the peace in knowing she is spending hours a day working toward being a normal kid," Ford said.
Audrey's father said that for her part of being a normal kid is going to school - and getting to spend times with other kids. He said that not only is she learning, but her overall attitude has changed.
"If it comes down to one thing, it would be for her to be happy," he said.
"We give these families hope," Toth-Petho said.
A program giving both children with motor skill disabilities - and their families hope and happiness to work toward a life without limits. For a child who doctors didn't think would make it in the hospital, Audrey has grown strong, and is now taking her life one step at a time.
For more information on ConductABILITY, go to: www.conductability.com
"We were told she probably wasn't going to make it," said Jack Ford, Audrey's father.
Shortly after - Audrey was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After hearing about the ConductABILITY school in Fayetteville from a friend, Audrey's parents enrolled her for classes.
"They need to learn to live a functional life," said Special Educator, Orsolya Toth - Petho. "There is no limit on these children here."
The school focuses one-on-one on children with motor skill disabilities. Educators teach speaking, self-help - motor - cognative - and social skills. They also work with parents.
"To teach them and tell them 'look your child can do this,'" Toth-Petho said. "You can work on this at home, so this child will grow up to be a better, healthier happier person."
"It's the peace in knowing she is spending hours a day working toward being a normal kid," Ford said.
Audrey's father said that for her part of being a normal kid is going to school - and getting to spend times with other kids. He said that not only is she learning, but her overall attitude has changed.
"If it comes down to one thing, it would be for her to be happy," he said.
"We give these families hope," Toth-Petho said.
A program giving both children with motor skill disabilities - and their families hope and happiness to work toward a life without limits. For a child who doctors didn't think would make it in the hospital, Audrey has grown strong, and is now taking her life one step at a time.
For more information on ConductABILITY, go to: www.conductability.com
