Breath of Life

"In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

- Job 12:10

Where Did You Come From?

Where did you come from, Baby dear?

Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by,

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?

I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-comer'd smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and bands?

Love made itself into hooks and hands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

Where did you get that dimple so cute?

God touched my cheek as I came through.

How did they all come just to be you?

God thought of me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought of you, and so I am here.

--George MacDonald, 1871

Emily Dickenson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain.

If I can ease one life the aching,

or cool one pain,

or help one robin into his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Norma H. Hill

Somtimes adversity impels a person to greater heights,

and sometimes it provides the opportunity

for that person to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Howard Schultz

Excellence is the result of caring

more than others think is wise,

risking more than others think is safe,

dreaming more than others think is practical,

and expecting more than others think possible.

Success

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a better place,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch,

or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Instead

Instead of walking with you,

I will crawl with you.

Instead of talking with you,

I will find ways to communicate with you.

Instead of focusing on what you cannnot do,

I will reward you with love for what you can do.

Instead of isolating you,

I will create adventures for you.

Instead of feeling sorry for you,

I will respect you.

-- Huygen Hilling

Where Did You Come From?

Emily Dickenson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain.

If I can ease one life the aching,

or cool one pain,

or help one robin into his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Norma H. Hill

Somtimes adversity impels a person to greater heights,

and sometimes it provides the opportunity

for that person to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Howard Schultz

Success

Instead

Potential

"What lies before us and what lies beyond us is tiny compared to what lies within us."

- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

About Us

Family Support

Our comprehensive family support program provides individualized assistance to the needs of each family situation. At DEC we offer a disability reference lending library and assist with connecting you to other families through our secure On-Line family forum. Our Community Events Calendar directs you to information and events that impact our disability community, We also provide referrals to affiliated organizations offering additional information and advocacy resources.

On-Line Family Forum

Caring for an individual with developmental disabilities can be both rewarding and challenging. Often the primary care giver has difficulty connecting with others in similar situations due to schedule constraints. Recognizing the importance of support, we have developed an On-Line Family Forum to provide a vehicle for individuals to share their burdens, success and wisdom with others walking a similar path.

The site is open to all DEC parents and care providers. Simply click here to create an account and follow the prompts.

Our Forum Moderator will welcome you to the group and provide periodic review to ensure the integrity of the discussion remains in-tack. This is a secure site and open by invitation only. Forum members may invite friends and family to participate by contacting the Forum Moderator.

On-Line Family Forum

Disability Resource Lending Library

DEC offers a variety of resource materials designed to encourage, support, and inform families and care providers. Each book in our collection was personally chosen and donated by individuals previously blessed in their reading and who desire to share the blessing with others. The topics cover a broad range of developmental disabilities, along with books specific to mental and physical health concerns. Please contact our administrative office if you wish to check-out any of our reference material.

View our Disability Resource and Lending Library

Information and Advocacy

Our directory of information and advocacy sources was developed to assist our families and care providers in accessing information and care for those they serve. Many of the organizations listed have both local and national affiliations and can offer opportunities for training and advocacy. We encourage you to check out this directory and discover new opportunities to connect with others in the disability community.

Information and Advocacy Directory