My husband, Billy, and I adopted our precious daughter, AnnaKate, in 2006. We were able to follow the birth mother’s perfect pregnancy and take AnnaKate home from the hospital after her birth. Instantly, we fell in love with our daughter. But when she was four months old, Anna Kate was diagnosed with Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes marked developmental delays and mental disabilities.

We were crushed, and overwhelmed by AnnaKate’s many needs. Therapy sessions, heart monitors, appointments with specialists filled the rest of that first year. As we regained our balance and sought help, our search led us to the Meyer Center. When AnnaKate began attending the Center at one year of age, we knew immediately that we had found a “family.” A place where people understood our child’s needs. A place where AnnaKate could receive the therapies she required in a nurturing learning environment.

The teachers, administrators and therapists all embraced our child, and us. They push her each day to achieve more than we ever thought possible. And her progress at the Center has been amazing to watch. Without the Meyer Center, I don’t know where we would be.

Before we adopted AnnaKate, I never expected to need a school like the Meyer Center. Now I know what a priceless asset to the community this special place is, and how important it is for our children.

Our Meyer Center story begins with the birth of our daughter, Addison Lee Walter. As we shared our hopes, dreams, and expectations for her, we could not have prepared for the news we received shortly after she entered our arms. We heard a cacophony of doctors and nurses in the background discussing indicators for Down Syndrome. We had no prior warning; and at 27 years old it was easy to be convinced “I’m not in that risk category.” You feel numb…shattered. Yet, you love your new baby with every fiber in you.

Our daughter, Addi, was officially diagnosed with Mosaic Down Syndrome at one week old. When we began researching this rare form of down syndrome (only 1-2% of the Down Syndrome population have mosaic), we realized that we were headed on one truly unique journey. The first few months were filled with visits with pediatricians, geneticists, specialists, and lining up therapies. In the chaos of trying to line up every possible opportunity for Addi, I recalled participating several years prior in a United Way tour that visited the Meyer Center for Special Children. That tour was so powerful and inspiring, though I never imagined it would be such a reality in my own future.

After our first visit with the staff at the Meyer Center, we decided to relocate our family from Aiken, SC and return to Upstate, SC. At the age of 9 months, Addi began attending the Meyer Center.

Our time at the Meyer Center has introduced us to so many unique and beautiful children and their families. Each day, the teachers, therapists and staff embrace Addi and her schoolmates with love and acceptance. We can leave Addi for the day with confidence that anyone she encounters will see her true potential and has a passion to help her reach it. I am never surprised to see an unfamiliar face greet Addi by name and with a big smile, making us each feel special. It is almost impossible to describe the comfort it provides a mother knowing that your child is in the hands of people that love your child and want the best for your child.

Addi is almost 16 months and has been meeting milestones left and right. Each week is full of new surprises and new skills. Though the last year has been filled with many emotions, fears, joys, celebrations, and the unknown; the Meyer Center family has helped us sort through those emotions, understand our fears, share in our joys, celebrate milestones, and educate us about our unknowns. The Meyer Center has quickly become a part of our extended family and holds a dear place in our hearts.

We have developed a strong appreciation for the important role the Meyer Center plays in the lives of our community’s special needs families. The Meyer Center provides services to all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. However, your support is needed to ensure that Upstate families can continue to have the opportunity to experience the programs, as well as the compassion, offered by this very special school. We owe so much to the Meyer Center and to Dr. Meyer and his vision for children with disabilities.