Hand-In-Hand Guest Read

In one of my previous blogs, I told you all about one of my favorite places to serve, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham. This week, I visited their preschool center, Hand-in-Hand as a guest reader. The Hand-in-Hand program is a state-of-the-art preschool center for children with special needs and their normally developing peers. Together, they learn and grow!

During my visit, I read to the two, three, and four-year-old classes. We read The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (one of my favorite books as a child). After we read, we sang songs and made a craft that went along with the books we read. I’m not sure who had more fun, the students or me! I am always so impressed with the UCP facility and staff. The students truly flourish in the peer tutoring setting. We are so blessed to have this facility in our area!

Lydia, a student with Downs Syndrome, had so much fun touching my crown and making crafts! She is doing so well with her language development. It is such a treat to be able to watch her progression with each visit I make.

The Itsy Bitsy Spider was definitely a class favorite!

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing these sweet smiles…and silly faces!

Caroline Crowley

Yogurt Lab

After learning all about the amazing United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham facility, I had the opportunity to participate in their most recent fundraiser. Yogurt Lab of Birmingham donated a percentage of their sales for the night to UCP. The fundraiser was the perfect way for Birmingham families to enjoy yummy yogurt, learn more about UCP, and donate to a great cause!

I enjoyed delicious my delicious Yogurt Lab desert---chocolate yogurt with marshmallows!

Jackson loved his yogurt! His dad was my “tour guide” for the day, as well.

Matt volunteers at most of the UCP fundraisers. He is able to educate others about Cerebral Palsy better than anyone else can, because he has Cerebral Palsy. Matt is also currently a successful law student.
Thank you, Yogurt Lab of Birmingham, for donating to such an amazing facility and helping change the lives of children and adults throughout the Greater Birminham area!

Caroline Crowley

UCP Birmingham

I spent the day touring the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham facility. UCP serves over 3,000 citizens living in Birmingham and the 10 surrounding counties. However, UCP does not limit their therapeutic services to children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. They serve citizens with many different forms of special needs. From therapeutic gardens to job training, UCP has it all!

Mr. David Bryant, Chief Development Officer of UCP, took me on an official tour of the UCP campus…complete with my very own “chariot”.

 

One of UCP’s many programs in the Hand in Hand Program, a daycare and preschool serving both children with special needs and normally developing children. With over 20 therapists on staff, children receive the absolute best care possible. Every classroom is filled with love, learning, and lots of laughter. UCP is equipped with the most modern technology and teaching methods to ensure that every child excels both socially and academically. Children with special needs and their normally developing peers have the opportunity to learn and grow together, all while creating lasting friendships!

I met Ashlyn, a toddler receiving therapeutic services at UCP. She is so full of determination and spirit!

My favorite part of the day was touring the adult care center. Adults with all types of special needs learn social skills, receive medical care, and participate in volunteer and social activities on the UCP campus. However, perhaps the most life altering help UCP gives the participants is the ability to earn their very own paycheck. Through their career support programs, UCP assists in every step of the job process. They begin by preparing each participant in pre-job training. UCP trains participants for job interviews and helps with resumes and job applications. They then evaluate each person’s skills and interests before placing them in a fitting job. After teaching the participant the skills needed to succeed at that particular job, they are active in corresponding with employers to resolve any job performance issues to ensure that the participant thrives at his or her place of work. Below are a few of the friends I made while touring the UCP adult center.

 

 

The United Cerebral Palsy of Great Birmingham is an absolute blessing to our area. They go above and beyond to ensure that all of their participants lead a successful and happy life, helping every single step of the way.

 

Caroline Crowley

Fishing with Angels

This week, I attended the 12th annual Fishing with Angels Day. Mr. Joe Phillips, a local resident, began the fishing day after his granddaughter, Tiffany, passed away from complications due to Cerebral palsy. Every year, he stocks his pond with over 3,000 catfish and begins feeding them twice a day eight months prior to the event. This year, we had a record turn-out, with over 500 children with special needs attending the fishing day. We enjoyed a day of fishing, food, and fun! This is definitely a day I look forward to every year!

Posing with my friends Suzie and Drew after our interviews with local media channels

 

Suzie was actually my inspiration to compete in the Miss Teen International pageant. My goal is to open doors for others to serve children with special needs. She will always be my queen…and she definitely has the personality to go with crown!

Drew was a little tired after a long day of fishing. He caught 14 catfish! He even taught me how to take a fish off of the hook.

 

Jazzmyn received a cochlear implant 3 months ago. Although she does not hear words the same as most people, through auditory-verbal therapy, she is learning to read lips so that she can communicate with others. It is amazing how she is able to watch others speak and form words on her own without being able to hear the actual sounds. She amazes me!

Caroline Crowley