The Power of a Hug: Kali’s Journey of Growth

Kali, with her parents, as she accepted her Personal Achievement Award. Keep reaching for the stars, Kali, and enjoying all of these moments with your family and friends.

Looking back, can you remember a hug that meant a lot to you? Whether it lifted your spirits or came from someone you love, a hug can say things that words cannot. For Kali, it is a beautiful reminder of just how much she has grown.

When Kali first joined our Social Recreation Program four years ago, she rarely interacted with others. Today, she walks through the door smiling, hangs up her coat, joins her friends, and finds new ways to connect with the people around her.

Kali’s amazing progress earned her a Personal Achievement Award, recognizing the friendships she has built and the many ways she continues to learn and flourish.

Although Kali is nonverbal, she has found special ways to share her personality and participate in the things she enjoys. Karaoke is a favorite. She loves holding the microphone and dancing along as she sings. She has also learned to play shuffleboard and enjoys coloring and doing more things independently, including getting her own water and ice.

As Kali has grown more comfortable, she interacts with her friends in new ways. She enjoys mimicking them, participating in outings, and being part of the fun. Just a few weeks ago, she happily joined her friends in grooming Highland cattle during a special trip.

One of the most meaningful changes, however, is the way Kali expresses affection. She has started hugging her friends and family, something new for the people who know her. Imagine the joy of receiving one of those first hugs and realizing that Kali has found another way to show her connection to the people she cares about.

She continues to discover ways to express herself. Kali uses hand gestures to let staff know what she needs and wants. Her parents have shared that she has even started using gestures at home to communicate.

From the smile she brings to the connections she is building and the independence she is gaining, Kali continues to show how much is possible.

Congratulations, Kali, on your well-deserved Personal Achievement Award! Keep growing and sharing your wonderful, sweet personality with the people around you!