Provide Scholarships for Adults with Disabilities

SPARC offers a unique program designed to support adults with disabilities who cannot work.  Our day prgrams are essential as young adults fall through the creacks after aging out of the K-12 school system.  One of our participants stated that “before SPARC, I felt I had aged out of life when I turned 22.” 

 Parents of 22-year-old Maddie wrote: “We began the journey of looking for adult day support and social activities [for Maddie, who had] aged out of the public school system in Fairfax County when we experienced what the special needs community refers to as ‘falling off the Cliff’. After years of normal routine, daily activities, and support from teachers, students and therapists, we found ourselves alone [until we found SPARC].”

For you to fully understand our services and our population, you must understand their feelings of betrayal and isolation and their bravery as they face a world that has chosen to neglect them.

So, I ask you to: 

• Imagine you are wheelchair bound, unable to control your movements, have difficulty speaking, have limited use of your arms and hands, may be hearing impaired and/or blind. 

• Imagine you are socially isolated, lonely, alienated, and misunderstood, verbally, emotionally, and mentally.  

• Imagine when you are out in the community, people are apt to shun you, make fun of you, say nasty words to you, or make you fearful, because you know that people in your position can fall prey to the worst in our society.  

• Imagine you are not able to work even in a supported work program but are lucky enough to receive Medicaid waivers which entitle you to be housed in a facility with caregivers and personnel who are mandated to work with a ratio of 1 caregiver for every 4 individuals with severe and multiple disabilities. With 4 people like you to take care of, all the caregiver can do is meet your most basic and intimate needs – changing your diapers, feeding, medicating you, and wiping your nose.  

Now – 

• Imagine a caring community of help providing a therapeutic day program specifically tailored for you – an adult with severe and multiple disabilities - 

that changes your stultifying and dismissed existence               into a thriving existence - that sees you as more.  

That  

• creates a life of possibilities. 
• Fosters a more inclusive community.  
• Ends your isolation. 

Imagine a place where: 

• You are valued and your potential is honored and appreciated. 
• Your loving caregivers are afforded a respite or are enabled to participate in the workforce. 
• Your health is enhanced through improved social connections, reduced isolation and a therapeutic program which enhances and strengthens your ability. 
• Inclusivity is promoted and discrimination is alleviated.  
• In the depths of your solitude, you can discover the true strength of your spirit. 

YOU HAVE IMAGINED SPARC.