HELPING A YOUNG GIRL COMMUNICATE WITH THE WORLD
Anna-Marie Incantalupo was born with Cerebral Palsy, a condition which made it difficult for her to communicate with the world.
In 2009, CRDF board member Lucille Chazanoff had a chance encounter with Donny Swanson, a local educator in an Apple store, one that would change the life of a number of special needs students over the years, including Anna-Marie.
The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation was lucky enough to be able to help this very special child express herself with a laptop that was compatible with devices that empowered her to form full sentences.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know that there a people out there that truly care" —Anna-Marie’s mother, Roseanna Incantalupo
Local Charity Gives Compatible Computer To Cerebral Palsy Sufferer
OPTIMIZING EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
From Assistant Principal Donny Swanson:
One of the many benefits of the support from this foundation is when an item is awarded to a student with a disability, the item is giving directly to the person and their family. This will clear up any confusion as to what happens to the item should the child move out of state or attend a private school.
In January of 2012, I was given the opportunity to serve as an assistant principal for students with special needs. Since then The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation has provided a dynamic stander to one student who had limited mobility, several iPads to students assist with communication needs and/or behavioral management needs and corrective lenses for a student who lost his glasses.
The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation continues to be a tremendous asset to individuals with disabilities and their families on Staten Island. Their financial support of various technologies has reduced barriers and fostered independence among our students in an effort to improve their quality of life.
I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Lucille Chazanoff in the Apple store in 2009. The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation has/continues to change the life of so many children with disabilities for the better!
Sincerely,
Donny Swanson
WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO CHANGE LIVES
The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation is proud to work with SKIP New York to help meet the challenges of special needs children. Many of our beneficiaries are sourced through SKIP, making us valued co-partners in our journey to help alleviate the lives of special needs children on Staten Island.
The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation is one of my most reliable and most efficient resources. I’m always amazed at the range of goods that they can provide for the families I work with and the timely manner in which the goods are obtained. Whenever I receive a request from a family and I suggest we contact The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation, I hear positive remarks on the other end of the phone. It’s a name that is recognized and trusted. On top of everything, they’re really friendly people to work with!
Leah Miller
Family Advisor
SKIP of New York, Inc
Here’s a partial list of services that SKIP provides its beneficiaries, many of which The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation are proud to sponsor!
Home care, paraprofessionals, nurses
Educational placement
Medical and psychological care
Durable medical equipment
Home and vehicular modifications
Respite workers
Speech, occupational and physical therapy
Advocacy
Habilitative services
Family education and training to help parents advocate for their children and manage behavioral problems
SKIP also connects families with schools, extracurricular programs and summer camps that are specially designed to meet their needs
A BUTTERFLY EMERGES FROM HIS COCOON
We were so happy to receive this letter from Jennifer Michael, whose son, Edward, lives with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Kids who live with Autism and Asperger’s often struggle to come out of their shell and socialize with their peers, so when Jennifer contacted us for help in sending Edward to summer camp, we knew it could go a long way in helping him spread his wings as a social butterfly.
Dear DeSantis Foundation,
A few years ago I was at a stressful point in my life, raising an Autistic child with Aspergers on my own. I was referred to The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation through an angel who saw me in distress. I contacted the Foundation and reached Michelle who was so caring and understanding of my situation.
I heard about the JCC Camp and how it would work wonders for my son. After conversations with Michelle, she sponsored my son Edward to attend the JCC, and has continued to do so. My son has improved in his socialization skills, and participating in physical activities, and has made friendships that he never knew he could.
We are forever grateful for the generosity of this foundation. Being a single mother I would have never been able to send Edward to this camp. These foundations are so helpful to people like myself who do not receive enough Medicaid Waiver due to the overload of children requiring assistance. Thank you again to a wonderful Foundation committed and dedicated to the promotion of help to the children that need it the most. Thanks to this organization Edward has been involved in inclusion programs in the general education population.
With Thanks,
Jennifer and Edward Michael
HELPING A SUPER KID REST EASY
Nicholas Block is a 16 year old with a diagnosis of ASD (Autism). The behavioral issues associated with ASD mean that Nicholas tends to stay close to home. His bed broke recently, which made it harder for Nicholas to hang out in his favorite place–his bedroom. When his mother, Fran, contacted The DeSantis Family Charitable Foundation, we were more than happy to help!
A letter from Nicholas’ mother, Fran Enia:
I just want to thank you again for all the help in getting my son a new bed. He was so happy when he finally came home from school today to see it.
Thank you again and God bless,
Fran