Steven's Story
Inside a body that limited his ability to move or speak, Steven Kyman has an incredibly active mind that is at once feisty and determined, and yet also compassionate and caring. The Achievement Centers for Children, a United Way of Greater Cleveland agency, is a place where Steven's personality was able to develop and where he began to thrive. Steven has Cerebral Palsy, which was a result of his brain being starved of oxygen when he was born. As a result, control over his body is severely compromised. Robin Kyman found out about the Achievement Centers when Steven was an infant and beginning with the early intervention program, Steven commenced a lifelong relationship with the agency.

Eventually, instead of needing services, Steven was giving back to others. At 14 he transitioned from a camper at Camp Cheerful, a program of the Achievement Centers, to a counselor-in-training and at 15 he became a counselor at Champ Camp. Steven is now a freshman at Wright State University where he has a 4.0 GPA. When Steven comes back to the Achievement Centers he says, "It feels like coming back home. All the people here make you feel empowered and they truly want to help me be the best I can be." When reflecting on her experiences Steven's mother Robin says that "Because of United Way and the outstanding people who support the Achievement Centers, Greater Cleveland is an exceptionally special place because we have programs and agencies that allow people like Steven to reach their maximum potential." If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.
  

Phoebe's Story
Phoebe Langius was enrolled in the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland's early childhood program in 2003 where she was a playful, outgoing toddler. The JCC is a United Way of Greater Cleveland partner. "We noticed that Phoebe would posture herself in an unusual way when she was painting, and this unusual behavior became more pronounced over time," Cindy Bruder, the director of the childhood center, said. Phoebe's mother arranged a visit to the Cole Eye Center and Phoebe was diagnosed with a genetic eye mutation that dislocated her lens.

"The initial diagnosis by teachers undoubtedly increased the quality of our daughter's life. Because of their quick action, doctors think that with glasses, Phoebe will have 20/20 vision," says Phoebe's mother. Now four years old, Phoebe is a bright, gregarious and happy young girl. "We will always be grateful to the JCC and to United Way for what they did for our daughter." If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.
  

Brendan's Story
"I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't say it" is how Brendan Hogan describes how he felt being born with Verbal Apraxia. "Brendan was clearly smart and expressive, but because of (the apraxia) when he spoke he was unintelligible," remembers Erica Snelson. Erica is a therapist at Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHS), a United Way of Greater Cleveland partner agency.

When Brendan's parents saw he was having a problem, they went to their pediatrician and to Brendan's school. "I remembered hearing a CHS ad 'If your child is walking but not talking, it is time to get help,'" recalls Brendan's father. That ad, plus referrals from professionals convinced them Brendan needed to visit CHS. Brendan began therapy in 2001. After years of therapy Brendan can now say "I can communicate with my friends and family. People understand me and that is wonderful." If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.
  

Scott's Story
When both parents were killed in a motorcycle accident at three weeks of age, Scott was adopted by his aunt. At 12 years of age, the truth about his parents became known to him. In rebellion, he began a downward spiral over the next four years of repeatedly abusing drugs and committing crimes until he was placed into the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. It was there that a counselor from New Directions, a United Way partner agency, became a part of Scott's life and entered him into New Directions' Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. The programs not only helped Scott become sober, but also empowered him to obtain his GED.

On the night of the recognition ceremony Scott, along with his sponsor, friends, family and New Directions staff, celebrated his graduation from the program and the beginning of his new life. Scott has recently been accepted to the Pennsylvania Culinary School to pursue his goal of becoming a chef. If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.
  

Kevin's Story
Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury as the victim of a drunk driver. The accident left him dependent on a wheelchair and with limited use of his hands. Services For Independent Living (SIL), a United Way partner agency, began working with him through Peer Support and Independent Living Skills programs. Initially Kevin was very shy and distant but as his relationship with the agency developed, he began to share his love of art and revealed that he had attended art school prior to his accident with the intention of working toward a career in art. With encouragement and support from the SIL staff, Kevin began to pursue his dream. With the help of special computer equipment and a computer chip that coordinates movement between his head and his hand, Kevin is once again creating artwork. Recently, Services For Independent Living encouraged Kevin to sell his art at SIL's annual disability fair. Kevin sold seven pieces of his art. He continues to set new goals as an artist and his dream is to one day have a piece of his work displayed in a museum. If you would like to help United Way help others, please click here.