Disabled kids and adults are doing some amazing things through these two programs

Sidney Goldblum wanted to ride horses again like when he was a child.

But, for the past 20 years, Goldblum, who has cerebral palsy, has been bound to a wheelchair.

He expressed his goal to the WOW Center, which began working with his physical therapist. About a month later, the 60-year-old was back in the saddle.

The WOW Center is an adult day training center for adults with developmental disabilities in Miami-Dade County. Renamed five years ago after the expression people usually say after a visit, the WOW Center provides several educational programs including life skills training, employment, social services, speech and occupational therapy and community based education.

“We provide individuals with resources, tools and opportunities to live meaningful and productive lives,” said Natalia Wong, executive director of the WOW Center. “ We also help the community to accept them and show they have the same goals and dreams that we have.”

Partially funded by the state, the WOW Center was founded in the 1970s by a small group of parents with children with disabilities. The WOW Center serves more than 200 people who must have a Medicaid waiver to participate. The center also has a waiting list.

“Lots of families don’t have any help for their aging kids with disabilities that are coming out of high school,” Wong said. “Sometimes after the child graduates, parents have to quit their jobs and stay home to take care of their child.”

Goldblum’s mother, Eadie Tracy, cared for him until her death in February at age 90. She was also active in the WOW Center, working with other parents to fund raise, acquire teachers and plan trips.

Jamie Jecha, Goldblum’s sister and now his legal guardian, recently moved back home to Miami from North Carolina to care for him. Since his mother’s death, Goldblum has moved into a group home but the WOW Center has been a steady constant in his life since he was 18 years old.

“WOW gives him a safe place to learn, make friends, and be independent,” Jecha said. “We are so blessed that they care enough to meet students at their level and yet push them to the next.”

Cerebral palsy affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the most common motor disability in childhood with 1 in 323 children diagnosed with the condition.

Recently, the WOW Center assisted Goldblum in obtaining his first job working at a plant nursery. The center works with several companies to provide employment and training. WOW has partnered with Microsoft to offer workshops on coding, starting a business, and creating an online artwork portfolio.

Goldblum continues to remain active and reach for new goals. He recently won the Special Olympics in bowling for Miami-Dade County, Jecha said. For the first time, he also will play baseball in the Miracle League, which provides an opportunity for children with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball.

Families of children with developmental disabilities can reach out to organizations in South Florida that provide services for no cost.

At nearly 2 years old, Nancy Zaretsky’s son didn’t respond to his own name and could only speak two words: elevator and Christopher. Her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.

The CDC notes that 1 in 59 children have been identified with autism, although it is about four times more common among boys than girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Zaretsky discovered the University of Miami — Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD), a program that guides individuals with autism or related disabilities and their families. CARD, funded by the Florida Department of Education, has offices at seven universities, including Florida Atlantic University, University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. It is one of several key programs in South Florida available to children and adults on the autism spectrum.

UM-NSU CARD has offices at UM and NSU in Broward and branches in Homestead, Miami Lakes and Miramar. Its services are free, but a diagnosis from a doctor is required to register. In addition to showing parents how they can work with their children to improve their skills, CARD also offers a summer camp and spring break surf camp in Miami Beach.

“Autism impacts your whole family,” said Zaretsky, who is a mother of three. “CARD gave me an enormous sense of community and the road map for intervention.”

Zaretsky’s son is now a 20-year-old student at Miami Dade College, where he studies film and aspires to be a critic.

This year, CARD is celebrating its 25th year anniversary. The Nova-UM CARD program currently serves 12,000 families in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties, said Dr. Michael Alessandri, executive director of UM-NSU CARD program.

“We have the privilege to support families that need us, especially low-income families,” said Alessandri, noting the program provides assistance in English, Spanish and Creole.

“Reaching the unreachable. The people who need you the most are often the hardest to find because they can’t imagine our services are free for everybody.”

CONTACTS

The WOW Center: Miami program that empowers adults with disabilities. http://wowcentermiami.org/; 305-279-7999; 11450 SW 79th St., Miami, 33173

UM-NSU CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disabilities): http://www.umcard.org/contact/; 1-800-9AUTISM; 5665 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, 33146

This story was originally published November 12, 2018 at 6:12 PM.