Vision for the Future

“When I see the efforts of those families who have been down this road before me, and I see how far their children have come, I start to imagine and dream of possibilities for Luke, of things I never allowed myself to think of before.”  Christine Lindauer – Luke’s mother

The following quote is from a mother of an older child with disabilities.

“I have spent so much time thinking about where we were going…what would Megan be able to do?  Would she have friends?  Feel supported, happy, find herself in a community that welcomed her, feel as if she belonged, and was accepted?  And now, I think about where we are—Megan, with her friends, singing, dancing, laughing…Megan, dreaming of being Hannah Montana but ever so happy to be Molly in a community theater production.  And I think, here we are, this is now, she is welcome, she belongs, she is accepted. We are here.”  Johnna Darragh – Megan’s mother

Watch a video showing embedded interventions working for Megan. You will see an example of peer support through mentors in a community-based theatre project where more than half of the children have disabilities. This performance is part of the Penguin Project, which matches peer mentors with children with disabilities through community-based theatre productions. While viewing the clip think about all the work, peer interactions and support that went on behind the scenes to make this stellar performance. Supporting community participation for children with disabilities is vital, and an essential goal parents and professionals must keep working toward. (running time: 2 min. 16 sec.)

For more information on the Penguin Project Foundation and opportunities to replicate community theater for children with disabilities paired with mentors in your community, visit http://www.penguinproject.org/index.php?id=7.