“Can I handle this?” Rachel Petri, an eight grader at Friends Academy, stated as she patiently waited in the Schwartz Center lobby to begin her service at the Schwartz Center.  Rachel would be spending an hour teaching children in the Schwartz Center’s Day School program. 

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I realized after several visits to the Schwartz Center, my initial fears were completely wrong.  One hour every Friday at the Schwartz Center taught me that these children have nothing to be disappointed about.  They live perfectly wonderful lives, and the Schwartz Center makes it possible for them to learn and grow like every other child” states Rachel.

In fact, affection and delight so overtook Rachel and her new task at the Center.  On her first day, as she was touring the Center, Rachel met Nathan, who had nothing but smiles for her.  Rachel explains, “To be honest, I didn’t think that kids like Nathan had a reason to be happy.  I know now that they have many reasons to be happy because they have feelings just like you and me.”

Rachel further explains that after meeting Liam she felt “At that moment, I wondered if he thought that he was ‘different’ from me.  I look back now and see that he isn’t.  Maybe he does need some special help, but the way he enjoys life is no different.”

For Rachel, her time spent at the Schwartz Center for Children was an eye opening one.  “The Schwartz Center has taught me that when I see someone as ‘different’ than me, not to think of them as under privileged and not to feel sorry for them.  Children that are challenged live the same eventful lives as the rest of us, but I’ve learned that they actually enjoy it more.  Nathan did not take a moment for granted.  Liam made everyone around him happy.  Everyone else I met gave off a tangible feeling of joy.  When I am dejected or ungrateful, I think back on what Nathan, Liam and everyone else there has taught me, which is to be grateful and to live in the moment.”

To be grateful and live in the moment, what eye opening and powerful lessons the Center was able to impart on one Friends Academy student.

Schwartz Center For Children

The Schwartz Center for Children has been serving our community for close to 60 years with high quality therapeutic interventions, medical care, and education for children with disabilities and special health care needs.

Our mission, to help each child achieve his or her greatest potential, is at the hear of everything we do.

With your generous help, we're now serving over 900 families throughout the Southcoast region - and new requests for our services are increasing dramatically.

With 60 years of serving children with special medical and developmental needs, the Schwartz Center brings hope, inspiration, and comfort to Southeastern Massachusetts children and families.

Help us continue to provide care for our children.

They need your help.

http://www.schwartzcenter.org

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