All Things Are Possible

Nonprofit, community bring awareness to developmental disabilities

George Liam Kohl Austin is an active, vivacious youngster who loves Rubik’s cubes, collecting Pokémon cards, ziplining, basketball, hockey, golfing and running in the Junior Gate River Run.

Austin also has spina bifida. When he was in utero, four out of five specialists advised Austin’s mother to end her pregnancy.

Instead, his mother chose to repair the open spinal cord in utero, which would stop further nerve damage and give Austin a chance to walk one day. At 18 months old, she brought him to Developmental Learning Center (DLC) in Jacksonville.

Today, thanks to the determination of Austin and his family, and four years of dedicated work at DLC, Austin walks independently with just leg braces and is on his own journey to becoming a surgeon. He feels sorry for people who look down on him for his disabilities and has but one message for those who hear his story:

“Never let your disability stop you from doing what you want to do.”

DLC, which provides education, care and therapies to children of all abilities, celebrated successes like Austin’s, and others, during March’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It launched a month-long, grassroots campaign throughout Jacksonville, filling the community with awareness, special needs resources and opportunities, and DLC’s signature orange T-shirts. Orange is the color of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

The organization recognized days of observance like the March 13 Good Samaritan Day, where it recognized the unselfish actions of those who provide help; March 26 Epilepsy Awareness Day, where it showcased the successes of a young man born with a seizure disorder;  and March 23 National Puppy Day, in which it recognized the power of service dogs in assisting children and youth with developmental disabilities. It collaborated with local partners and celebrities to spread the word about the DLC programs available to the community.

“The Nonprofit Center believes in the good that DLC is doing to serve all children of all abilities so that families have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. By providing support to these families, DLC is helping create a more vibrant and inclusive community to live in. I’m proud to support DLC and the work they are doing to raise awareness for Development Disability Awareness Month,” said Dawn Lockhart, CEO, Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida.

Kenneth Darity, the chief administration officer at Kids Hope Alliance, echoed the praise for the faith-based inclusion nonprofit.

“DLC has been providing invaluable support for children and families in Duval County for many years. The dedicated team at DLC provides hope and resources to our most vulnerable population. It is an honor to celebrate the great work of DLC,” he said.