OT: A news story about The Mariposa School

[Guest guest]

Friends,

Here is an article that was written about The Mariposa School in our local

newspaper this week . (Sorry you can't see the incredibly cute pictures of

the kids in the online version.)

http://www.carynews.com/education/story/973667p-6928173c.html

As many of you may remember, we almost had to close our doors in September,

2002 because of lack of funding. Now I'm happy to announce that we are

EXPANDING, and will soon be moving to a LARGER building! We currently have

15 students on site doing one-on-one VB programs, several consulting clients

off site, and are working with 3 school districts.

When we move, we will be adding both a speech therapist and occupational

therapist, as well as an assistant program director. We will also be adding

more instructors so that we can accommodate the families who are currently

on our waiting list. The move is scheduled to occur sometime between April

1 and June 30.

After the initial grant of $50K that we received from the and

Brader-Araje Foundation to keep our doors open, we've been fortunate to

receive additional funding from local banks as well as Mc House

Charities and American Airlines.

It definitely has not been an easy path -- I've been living on about 4 -5

hours of sleep a night for the past couple of years. But when I see the

kind of progress the kids are making at the school, it is all worth it!

I thought I'd share the following motivational poem that has kept me going

....

_____________________________________________

Believe in Yourself

Author Unknown

Believe in yourself and in your dream,

Though impossible things may seem.

Someday, somehow you'll get through

To the goal you have in view.

Mountains fall and seas divide

Before the one who in his stride

Takes a hard road day by day,

Sweeping obstacles away.

Believe in yourself and in your plan.

Say not, " I cannot " , but " I can " .

The prizes of life we fail to win

Because we doubt the power within.

___________________________

Never give up!

s (Cary, NC)

persistentC@...

President and Executive Director

The Mariposa School for Children with Autism

www.MariposaSchool.org

919-461-0600