Texas Section News

American College Of Dentists

Mr. Andrew McAllister, Founder of BELIEVE IT FOUNDATION to Speak at the ACD, ICD, PFA Breakfast

May 5th at the Texas Dental Meeting

Texas Section to meet with ICD and PFA at Joint breakfast Friday May 5th. See back page for details!

LOOK HERE!!!!!

Please take some time to go to www.ACD.org and make sure all your information, especially your email address is correct!

In 2008, after attending The University of Texas and Trinity University, Andrew founded the Believe it Foundation to provide experiences, programs, and support for children with physical challenges - all of which made the difference for him on his journey. Attending a major sporting event, taking a family trip, participating in Scouting, or going to summer camp can all be life changing experiences for any child, especially if physically challenged. “I know because I enjoyed these experiences and many more”, Andrew has shared. “In every case, it was due to someone or some organization willing to be inclusive.” Since inception, the Foundation has supported thousands of children with physical challenges to get off the sidelines and jump into the game through school-based programs, camps, excursions, social activities, and college scholarships. The vision from the beginning has been to create widespread belief in a world where physically challenged individuals have every right to be our colleagues at work, our friends at dinner, and join others in being powerful advocates for what a more inclusive future looks like. In 2018, the Foundation expanded its programming into school districts around San Antonio with an inclusive bike program—Believe It Bikes. In 2019, the Believe It Foundation provided over 45 adaptive bikes to 3 local school districts (Boerne, Harlandale and Edgewood ISDs) connected with over 1,200 students (those with physical and other challenges alongside their typical peers) through Get Active Days (a Believe It Bikes event). The bikes in schools program grew exponentially from there and is now in 14 districts/203 schools serving over 3000 students and continuing to expand.

More about Believe it Foundation Pg. 5

By Dr. C. Roger Macias