My husband and I are parents of one child—a daughter, Leanne, who is now 32 years old.

When Leanne was 2 years old, and not yet walking or talking, we learned she has developmental disabilities. The pediatric neurologist’s advice was that we should get her into a good education program. That we did, beginning at the University of Georgia College of Education’s Toddler Learning Class and continuing through Clarke County School System’s Special Education Program until she was 21 years old.

Throughout those years I matched my work hours to Leanne’s hours at school. If she’d had nowhere to go following High School Special Education I would’ve been forced to quit work and keep Leanne at home. We feared she would regress and lose skills that had taken her so very long to develop.

Thankfully, we were directed to Hope Haven. In January of her last year in the Clarke County School System, Leanne began transitioning into Hope Haven’s Day Program by spending a portion of the school day at Hope Haven. When the school year ended, Leanne was ready for Hope Haven full-time. That was 2001.

Hope Haven is the reason Leanne has continued her development in such important areas as speech, fine motor, and daily living skills. Hope Haven also provides a place where Leanne can spend her days among friends and peers while she learns. Because of Hope Haven, Leanne enjoys a more inclusive lifestyle. As her parents, we know that our daughter and our family are benefiting greatly from Hope Haven.