I Love You, Mom!

Those are the words that bring tears to a mother’s eyes, but even more so to that of a mother with a disabled child, because it can mean years of speech therapy, non-conventional interventions and repeated attempts to acquire services through schools as well as choosing between food, the rent and private treatments.       

That was me six years ago.  Five years ago life came to a screeching halt when my son, Wyatt, was killed in an auto accident.  We needed so much help for him – special ed services, after school care, special interventions, money, respite, people who understood.  In his name we decided to create something which reflects what families across Washington State are in dire need of:  Wyatt’s House, a center for children with disabilities and their families.  Land has just been purchased South of the Olympia airport on 101st Ave. to house educational and therapeutic facilities, a specialized playground, an organic garden, an indoor horseback riding arena and aquatic therapy pool.

One of the main components of the center is the private school, featuring completely individualized instruction for each child, integration of therapeutic and educational goals throughout the school day, and an emphasis on cutting edge technology to work toward lifelong skills and career options.  This pilot school will provide the only specialty private school option in the Olympia area for parents of children with disabilities preferring private school, as well as for public school districts which find themselves unable to completely meet the needs of some special needs students.

Wyatt’s House will be a multipurpose center, offering safe and appropriate after school care with experienced staff and access to computers, on-site individual and group therapies, respite care for families on the weekends as well as some evenings, and more.  Parents will be able to come to the center for information about community resources, parent support meetings, networking and guidance.  Therapists will have a space to practice without parents needing to arrange transportation for the child, and therapists seeing the same child will have the ability to collaborate on services for children in ways that enhance the achievement of all of the child’s goals.  The center will also offer periodic therapy intensives, which consist of daily extra-length sessions with the therapists as well as group social skills activities with other children.  Currently we are in discussions with various children’s organizations, with the goal of hosting educational and social youth groups at the center for both the children with disabilities and their typical peers.

Wyatt’s House will be an enormous asset to the community and a pilot for seedlings across the state.  Here the latest coverage in The Olympian. To make these programs a reality, we need your help.  Donations of time and materials, as well as financial support and technical expertise, will help make all of these resources available to our children.  There could be no better way for you to make a difference!  Call The Wyatt Holliday Foundation now at (360) 507-0944 or log on to www.WyattsHouse.org to learn more. 

Thank you in advance,
and hug your children
- Wyatt’s Mom


UPDATE...03.18.2008
Because we have seen so little local support or buy-in from the Olympia WA area, the property is being sold and the personal funds will be otherwise invested, hopefully for the greater good of families statewide or nationally.  If there is enough interest in another geographical area we may consider opening a Wyatt's House elsewhere.  Something this big cannot stand where the structure isn't supported.  -Wyatt's Mom