by Jennifer Morgan

Raising children can be an exciting journey full of ups and downs and unexpected turns.  With two young daughters and another child on the way, Naples parents Ralph and Monica Rodriguez had so far navigated the parenting years with little turbulence. However, they were about to take a detour and embark on another route for which they were unprepared. Read more...

by Linda Denning

Julian Roel Gonzalez is three years old. He is nonverbal autistic child and attends the Exceptional Student Education pre-kindergarten program at Vineyards Elementary School. He loves the water and swinging on swings in the park. He loves to cuddle. He is a great climber and runner and loves meat. Julian enjoys school and loves riding the school bus to Vineyards Elementary where he takes part in the Exceptional Student Program. Julian is also a big brother to Dylan, who is a one year old.

by Linda Denning

Ryan Pierce just finished first grade at Trafalgar Elementary in Cape Coral. According to his mom, Kelly Link, her seven-year-old son “is independent, strong and determined, and he doesn’t let anything stop him. He knows what he wants, and he won’t settle for less. He doesn’t let other people get him down, and he won’t let anyone tell him that he can’t do something. He will complete the task at hand, and better than they’d ever expect. Ryan’s force to continue on has been his life story from day one.” He loves his brothers Cody, eight, and Jacob, five, playing video games, reading, riding his bike, doing puzzles, playing basketball, and being outside.

by Linda Denning

Kendra Johnson is eight years old and has just completed second grade at Poinciana Elementary School. She loves reading, horseback riding at Naples Equestrian Challenge, swimming, music, dancing, and singing. According to her parents, Tonya and Ken Johnson, “She’s a healthy child who has arthrogryposis, which is a big word for a lot of anomalies.” Kendra was borne with club feet, scoliosis, a dislocated left hip, decreased muscle tone, and contracted joints. She was born at the North Collier Birthing Center and airlifted the same day to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg where she was diagnosed.

by Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

My daughter’s birth five years ago was the most amazing experience and the happiest day of my life. I had been given a wonderful gift, and life was perfect. As the months went by, however I started to worry. I’m not sure when I first noticed something seemed different about my daughter. By the time she was two, I had consulted with numerous doctors and specialists who assured me nothing was wrong. At preschool, she seemed to be behind other children her age both in motor skills and language development, but still no one thought there was really anything to worry about. Finally, when she turned four, my fears where confirmed when she was evaluated by Florida’s Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDLRS) and found to have developmental delays and language impairments. I felt relieved because finally we would be able to take action.