November 2017
SPOTLIGHT on Marianna When their daughter was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome and a heart defect, Dan and Anjanette Rushing immediately sent up a prayer. Like most parents whose children are born with Down syndrome, the couple felt a wave of anguish upon learning of Marianna’s condition. Marianna – now five years old – has thrived, though, and is now enrolled in Pensacola Christian Academy’s K5 class. While the Rushings attribute much of Marianna’s success to their faith, it was The Arc Gateway’s Pearl Nelson Center (PNC) who provided the road map. When Marianna was two months old, she began working with Wendy Lawrence, an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist with PNC, during regular, weekly visits to the Rushing’s home. During these meetings, Lawrence continually educated the family on ways to stimulate Marianna and encourage her development. Jeannie Hoppe, a physical therapist with PNC, was also assigned to Marianna to provide instruction on Marianna’s motor skills. After a surgery at five months old to repair her heart defect, Hoppe was there
to help in the recovery process. Within the next year, Marianna learned to crawl and then walk. “We were so excited to see her progress and grateful for the continual encouragement and support we received from Vanessa, Wendy and Jeannie throughout the process,” said Anjanette. Marianna in a speech therapy session with Alita Fisher. At 18 months old, Marianna began seeing an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a speech therapist. The Rushings were thrilled with Marianna’s progression. “It has been a wonderful journey to see Marianna change and grow from a baby that couldn’t walk or talk to a big fiveyear-old,” Anjanette said. The Rushings admittedly felt discouraged at times throughout the arduousness of raising a child with Down Marianna in a physical therapy session syndrome, but throughout it all, the with Jeannie Hoppe. therapists of The Arc Gateway were there for guidance. It even became a family since subsided. atmosphere when Marianna’s three older “Our friends at the Pearl Nelson Center brothers began participating. have taught us through their constant Dan and Anjanette have learned a lot positive encouragement and hard work from their team at PNC, so much so that to believe that Marianna will accomplish those initial feelings of anguish have long great things,” Anjanette said.
Wreaths of Joy Gala November 30
at 5:30 p.m. Skopelos at New World
The Arc Gateway
The Arc Gateway Foundation is organizing the much anticipated Wreaths of Joy Gala, our largest annual fundraising event. Every year businesses, organizations and individuals gather at this highly regarded affair to enjoy a three-course dinner, entertainment, auctions, and more!
November 2017