It has been more than fourteen years since I first saw her. I was recently at the post office and she was standing near me in line. Our eyes connected and she blankly smiled. She did not recognize me. She really had no reason to. But ten years ago, she left an indelible impression on […]

I met Rebecca early 2008. I don’t remember the details, as we have not become friends till much later on. My memories upon meeting her for the first time are vague, a beautiful, cool, smart and busy businesswoman, about my age, with two (now three) little kids. I knew she had a child with Down […]

Play is an important part of every child’s existence but imagine going to a playground with a child only to arrive and realize there is nothing there for your child to do, other than watch and listen to other kids play. LuBird’s Light Foundation was founded to create a brighter world for exceptional kids by […]

Are you concerned about your toddler’s development? Are you wondering what should a typical 2-year old’s speech look like? What words should they be saying? When should I start to be concerned about my toddler’s speech? If something seems wrong, what should I do? Background on speech delays Speech delays are a common situation that […]

James Kropp wears many hats. He is a certified personal trainer, a Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athlete leader, a fitness captain who leads workouts for SOCO Virtual Wellness Challenges and he is a creative photographer. James, 22, has Downs Syndrome and lives in Denver. While some people may only view James through the lens of […]

Jennifer and Jamin Alabiso proposed what they thought was an innovative way for their 10-year-old son, who has autism, to receive special education services during remote learning — specifically, the 45 minutes per day of reading help he needs to reach grade level. The family lives less than a block from his Denver school, and […]

For as long as I can remember, my son has spent his days in school chewing on his sleeves, eating paper, and fidgeting with anything else he can get his hands on. And when he wasn’t chewing on or fiddling with something, he is talking—commenting on whatever was going on, interrupting, yelling, or trying to […]

Everyone deserves the chance to shine and we love that kids of all abilities are given access to so many wonders in Colorado. Below is a sampling of experiences that showcase the state’s adaptive adventures for all abilities. Adaptive Sports Center, Crested Butte: This therapeutic recreation program operates year-round and offers a range of adaptive […]

At first, Herminia Garcia just thought she had a bad kid who wouldn’t listen. Then a nurse suggested her son Joaquin be tested for autism which Garcia did through the Jeffco School District. He was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and referred to Firefly Autism in Denver for treatment. Joaquin is Mexican and black, and […]

There are a lot of sensory issues that are involved with going to the dentist. There are bright lights, loud noises, and strange tastes and smells. Some children may have sensory issues making it difficult for them to comfortably visit the dentist. Luckily, as a parent, there are many things you can try to help […]