disabled population

Preparing for, and finding a job in this economy is difficult task. Add a disability into the mix, and the obstacles to employment may feel utterly insurmountable. But disabled residents in the state of Washington have someone to help them overcome both the fear and the challenges of employment, and her name is LaDrene Coyne.

George Saidah has used a pastime of his and has invented a program where children with special needs, specifically those with the conditions of autism and Down’s Syndrome, can learn the power of sailing the open waters.  Hearts of Sailing offers free sailing trips to those children affected by such disorders like autism and Down’s Syndrome.

Laura Wysocki broke her elbow playing soccer and noticed an ad in the paper for volunteers. The program assigns Special Needs students with a "buddy" for one-on-one instruction in the rules of the game of soccer and the spirit of teamwork. Being a buddy to little Gordon is an eye opener for Laura. Born with Down Syndrome and a weak heart, Gordon has undergone two heart surgeries. Gordon does not know anything about soccer, is reluctant to play, and is notorious for running of the field every opportunity he can. After several weeks of cajoling, Gordon attempts to dribble the ball!

Kenneth Prather is on disability retirement due to a chronic disorder by the name of Ankylosing Spondylitis. In addition, he was also hurt in 1998. This resulted in him being on life support for 32 days, three months in a long term intensive care hospital, and three years in a nursing home.