Hearing personal stories of lives that have been changed by the work being done at Bona Vista Programs will NEVER get old. As we celebrate our 60th year in Howard County this year, I hope to share many of those stories with you.
Here’s an excerpt from an e-mail I received this week (just to kick-off the feel goods):
I wanted to share my daughter’s story. She went to Bona Vista, and they did such a great job. She never even needed continued therapy in public school. We came to BVP for the free (developmental) screening knowing she was a bit “dutchy.” Probably not politically correct to say now, but back 40+ years ago that was the descriptor used. They were so thorough even though it seemed just like fun and games to Emily and I. We were a bit shocked to learn she needed way more than speech therapy. To begin with, the poor kid was about blind. We had no clue our 2 yr old needed glasses. We thought sitting so close to the TV, claiming never to see what we were directing her to pick up, and putting books practically on her face were all behavioral issues as she was a strong-willed child. She ended up going to school there, receiving speech, physical, and occupational therapies. Back then, funding was a struggle as most the rules/laws were in their early days. BVP always found ways for her to get her needs met and I feel this often was on BVP’s dime.
BVP has had my heart for over 40 years, I just wanted to share with you. They make a difference every single minute of every single day!
Now does that just hit you right in the heart or what? There was more to that e-mail. Funny stories, personal experiences, long-term successes and so much more that I plan on sharing with you. I want to talk to this mother, personally, though. I want to meet her daughter. I want to thank them for not only sharing a small bit of insight with me, but for loving and supporting Bona Vista Programs for the last 40 years. It’s because of families like this that our mission and vision gets shared by word-of-mouth to those in this community. And, it’s the reason we do what we do every single day.
Until next time… keep a good view on life!
-AB