My Nonprofit Reviews

One only needs to read the letters from school kids who have been fortunate enough to have ATOU visit their classroom for a workshop to realize the impact that this organization has on the hearts of area youth. These letters written by students as young as fourth grade make clear the positive impact of ATOU's presentations. Over the years, our family has personally experienced many of the programs that ATOU offers, from school workshops, to Youth Force activities, to community education and in all instances the excellence of this organization and importance of the work that they do has been consistent. In a gentle and respectful way, ATOU offers students insight into the experiences of others with visible and invisible disabilities, guiding them to the opportunity to realize all people share hopes, dreams and struggles. From this realization blooms empathy, and the chance to "choose to be kind" to all. Our family supports and will continue to support this organization because we are grateful for the way ATOU plants the seeds of empathy, respect and kindness in all members of our region, most especially the young people who will grow to become our future community leaders. Five stars for a great organization that continues to deliver important and life-changing service. Thank you ATOU!

In 2002, I was a pediatric physical therapist who had spent the better part of the past decade working with young children with developmental disabilities, helping them to achieve maximal strength and physical function. I was also a young mother, and that year I gave birth to my second child, who suffered a perinatal stroke and was ultimately diagnosed with cerebral palsy. At that time, I realized that everything I thought I knew about disability would not be enough to provide him with the things that I most hoped he would have in life. What I most wanted was for him to live in a kinder world, and to be surrounded by people who loved and valued him, no matter the path his development followed.

When I discovered A Touch of Understanding and learned about their work a few years later, I was brought back to those early days when all I wished for was a world that would value my child and all people with different abilities. What I wished for is EXACTLY what ATOU is working to create! One child, one family, one school and one community at a time, in a way that is gentle and respectful, they teach everyone lucky enough to attend a workshop that all people are mostly the same, with the same feelings, hopes and dreams. Through their school workshops they demystify disability for students at a time in their development when they are learning who they are and how they will interact with those around them. In a world that can seem increasingly noisy and disagreeable, ATOU plants the seeds of empathy, respect and kindness in the youngest members of our community.

Today, I continue to be thankful to work as a pediatric PT, and with a team of dedicated and passionate doctors, nurses and therapists I work to strengthen and heal the bodies of children with disabilities. I am equally thankful however for the work of ATOU, and for my children's opportunity to participate in ATOU's Youth Force program. Together their programs are bettering the world that children with disabilities live in, whether we're able to "fix" their bodies or not.

Thank you ATOU for your tireless work to create a young generation with great compassion and understanding for all people, who will go on to create kind and inclusive communities to the benefit of all.