By Han Cheung Heather and John Cleek Jr. of Columbia became alarmed when their youngest son, Thomas, lost his speech ability when he was two-years-old. Heather, who has a masters of education in early childhood special education, knew that they had to seek help quickly. They immediately took Thomas to the Central Missouri Regional Center, [...]

The Mission Project Founding date: 2004 Mission: “The Mission Project enables capable adults with developmental cognitive disabilities to live independently and safely in community with minimal support.” Contact information: 913-492-7500, info@themissionproject.org, themissionproject.org How do you help Kansas City’s special needs community? The Mission Project strives to create a community and support systems for participants to [...]

And guess what … everything is accessible and affordable! Eastern Jackson County Powell Gardens PowellGardens.org • 816-697-2600 Powell Gardens is a private, not-for-profit botanical garden located just east of Kansas City with free admission and free wheelchairs. True natureloving kiddos can join the Powell Gardens Kids Club at a small cost – $35/year for members [...]

Leawood father of two Ted Ahrenholtz understands the joy and comfort a special blanket can bring children and entire families. That’s why he started myubby, a unique blanketbuilding boutique with an online shop at myubby.com and a storefront opening this summer in Overland Park. Now Ahrenholtz is donating custom, personalized blankets to each of Parenting [...]

By Daisy Wakefield For April Fool’s Day, 8-year-old Kaiden Cook of Shawnee wore his backpack to school, with his hand sticking out of it, bobbing and waving to people behind him. Yes, it was his hand – he has two in addition to the one he was born with, so there’s always one spare, yup, [...]