K. is a student who started during second semester last year. He transferred from out of state and has a variety of exceptionalities. When K started school, he came with no mobility equipment and could only move by scooting along the floor. The teaching staff couldn’t even assess his cognitive abilities because he had no way to communicate with them. By October, less than 9 months after coming to MELC, K. was using assistive technology to communicate effectively. He is now able to show that he understands and knows an abundance of information and is clearly learning. For example, he can identify all his colors now, where we could not even get a response in the spring. He has also learned how to walk! Although, unsteady, K. has started tossing aside his walker (we initially had to have him in a wheelchair for the majority of the day) knowing that he is much faster without it! Needless to say, his tremendous progress has astounded and moved staff. K. is a clear definition of a resilient child, and his progress shows how important early intervention and therapy is to continued success in school. K. now gives staff a run for their money, as you can often see him taking off down the halls of MELC laughing as he celebrates his new skills and independence. 

Without access to a high-quality preschool option like MELC, K. might have continued to lose ground and remained uncommunicative during prime years for knowledge development. Your generosity in giving to United Way gave hope to K. and his family. They can now look forward to celebrating his continued success in school. 

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