Through tragedy comes triumph. That is certainly the case when it comes to Laura Grace Dozer who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth.
Rich and Karie Dozer are the loving parents committed to creating something better for families afflicted with cerebral palsy who want an alternative to institutionalizing their children.
The United Cerebral Palsy Laura Dozer Center opened in June of 2003 thanks to the generosity of the Dozer’s and their community supporters. During the last 10 years the facility has set their main focus on maintaining a family unit and has assisted hundreds of children. The center also hosts services for children with disabilities such as autism, down syndrome and others.
Recently I had the pleasure of a personal tour of this facility. The center is beautifully decorated and houses a first rate daycare center which is well staffed, state of the art, and open to the public.
The idea that integrating children without disabilities with handicapped children at an early age is beneficial to both as it fosters compassion, understanding, and lessens the problem of bullying in the future.
To say that I was impressed with the staff and facility of the Laura Dozer Center would be a serious understatement. There are four buildings at the center appropriately named Hope, Nature, Imagine and Believe, which aptly represent the fabulous center.
In addition to children there is an increasing need for adult programs. United Cerebral Palsy expanded its facilities in 2007 so they could provide life and employment skills to the ever growing population of adults with disabilities.
United Cerebral Palsy of Arizona has grown so much from its inception and is serving over 2,500 families on an annual basis. Please donate your time and dollars to this worthy organization which does so much for so many.
Paul Cocuzza, Business Development Associate for UCP gives Lea Haben a tour
I can tell you that I had a smile permanently affixed on my face for the entire day after seeing all those happy little faces at the Laura Dozer Center.
