Daniel's Special Needs Education

My older brother, Daniel, is 31 and has lived with mild retardation and legal blindness since the age of 5.  Life is never easy or simple, particularly for him.  It is one of those things that you just have to learn as you go, but we did it together. My Family and I are originally from Florida. We moved to Tyler, Texas eight years ago and have been tirelessly searching for opportunities for Daniel to learn and grow for years. We found nothing that was of quality or more than a babysitting service. There were no programs for special needs adults in the area who wanted to continue to develop simple life skills and feel like they belong. That is until a few months after I moved to the Dallas area and discovered My Possibilities – a one of a kind continuing education program for adults with special needs.

As soon as I learned more about My Possibilities I immediately called my mom and told her all about it. They were all very excited to hear that such a place existed. We all scheduled a day that my dad, mom and I could get off of work to take a tour and meet the staff. They drove hours there and back to get to My Possibilities that day and have not regretted it for a second. We knew we found a place that Daniel’s life would be enriched and renewed. A place that he would be cared for, a place that he could continue to develop life skills, a place to find friendship and give him meaning.

Getting my brother enrolled was no easy task. First he was over two hours away. I made the decision to move Daniel to Plano with me so that I could care for him and get him to this school.  Poor Daniel slept on my couch for about two months before I could find a bigger apartment that we needed. He never complained. He was just happy to be here with me and looking forward to being at My Possibilities. It was the first time in a very long time that I saw hope in his eyes and joy fill his heart. He was excited and, for once, he felt he had purpose knowing that there was a place just for him.

 After months of paperwork and waiting, Daniel finally got approved for enough outside funding to attend My Possibilities twice per week.  He was a proud HIPster, a Hugely Important Person at My Possibilities. In the months leading up to Daniel’s first day there was never a doubt that this was where he was meant to be. We had to overcome so many obstacles but he was finally there and getting the education and social stimulation he needed. That is until last week when I got one of the worst phone calls I have ever had to listen to. Daniel’s funding got retracted and there were no funds to allow him to continue school. He not only was without funding all of a sudden but now owed for the three months of attendance that were no longer going to be paid. Words cannot describe the devastation and pain my brother felt when I told him the news. His world got turned upside down leaving nothing for him – anyone that knows Daniel knows that his soul is so pure and full of joy. I have never been so tormented seeing him this past week. I knew that I couldn’t give up on him especially after all that we had already been through getting him here!

I ask you now to help Daniel get the proper continuing education, life and social skills that he so desperately needs. Help Daniel feel that this world is full of people that care for him and his well-being. People with disabilities are always the forgotten and it is time to say WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.  

$8000 would help Daniel go to school twice per week and be able to have transportation to and from My Possibilities for one year. I would love nothing more to tell him that we can get him back to school with the teachers and other students that love him being there! I hope that one day he can go full time and will have the funding to do so! I thank you in advance for your support and making a difference in a life that will forever be changed by your love and generosity.


Daniel's favorite class is culinary skills. He loves to cook!