Meyer Center

AnnaKate's Story

by Kelly Weekes

My husband, Billy, and I adopted our precious daughter, AnnaKate, in 2006. We were able to follow the birth mother’s perfect pregnancy and take AnnaKate home from the hospital after her birth. Instantly, we fell in love with our daughter. But when she was four months old, Anna Kate was diagnosed with Rubenstein-Taybi Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes marked developmental delays and mental disabilities.

We were crushed, and overwhelmed by AnnaKate's many needs. Therapy sessions, heart monitors, appointments with specialists filled the rest of that first year. As we regained our balance and sought help, our search led us to the Meyer Center. When AnnaKate began attending the Center at one year of age, we knew immediately that we had found a “family.” A place where people understood our child’s needs. A place where AnnaKate could receive the therapies she required in a nurturing learning environment.

The teachers, administrators and therapists all embraced our child, and us. They push her each day to achieve more than we ever thought possible. And her progress at the Center has been amazing to watch. Without the Meyer Center, I don’t know where we would be.

Before we adopted AnnaKate, I never expected to need a school like the Meyer Center. Now I know what a priceless asset to the community this special place is, and how important it is for our children.

AnnaKate has met many developmental milestones at the Meyer Center - from crawling, to using a walker -  to walking, at the age of 3. Her progress at the Meyer Center has been amazing to watch. Without the Meyer Center, I don't know where we would be.

Kelly Weekes