Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else’s survival guide.
~Margan Haper Nichols
Funding for Family to Family Mentoring is provided by Blue & You Foundation of Arkansas.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email Anna Valenzuela.
EPILEPSY, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, FAMILY SERVICES
Anna Valenzuela has five wonderful children Abel Jr, Adam, Alek, Analinda, and Anabella that she loves and adores. Abel, the oldest child, suffers from a rare neurological disorder called Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). TSC is a rare genetic disorder that causes benign tumors and lesions to develop in multiple organ systems. Neurocutaneous syndromes cause tumors to grow, as well as seizures, brain development problems, and intellectual disabilities. Anna is passionate about helping families and referring those in need to a service provider. Anna Valenzuela has worked with families for over 12 years in the family service field. Anna has a Family Development Credential, FDC Instructor and Portfolio Advisement license through the University of Connecticut (UCCON). Anna loves God, Family, and her Community; feel free to reach her at anna@communityconnectionsar.org.
CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS, SENSORY PROCESSING, ANXIETY, FEEDING DISORDER, ADHD & AUTISM
Sheri Bradford is a mom, Executive Director/Founder of Seed and Sower ministry. She mentors parents and children with special needs in a faith-based perspective through her biblical teachings in the garden and writings. She has been involved with Community Connections since 2015, first as a parent and later as a Director & Mentor. Sheri has two children, Savannah and Bowen, who both participate in various CC programs. Savannah was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 4 years old, and she suffers from a rare autoimmune disorder called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Bowen was diagnosed with ASD at the age of 7, then later it was discovered that he had a rare disorder from birth called Craniosynostosis that causes a variety of health issues. In 2022 Bowen had a life-altering surgery that sparked a desire to share his journey with others to help guide them through the healing process. To follow his story, check out Bowen's Bravery.
Sheri’s goal is to equip, empower, and enlighten parents/caregivers with the tools they need to succeed as they navigate through their life involving special needs. Feel free to contact Sheri at bradfordsheri@gmail.com to begin receiving encouragement and support.
EARLY CHILDHOOD/SPECIAL EDUCATION AND HEARING LOSS
Jessica Wiley lives in Conway with her husband, daughter, and son who has bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss. Having been an educator since 2009 with a background in early childhood and special education, she has specialized instruction with reading and Dyslexia interventions. She is also a board member of Arkansas Hands & Voices, a nonprofit organization of professionals and parents working with families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Jessica first became familiar with Community Connections when her son attended Pediatrics Plus Developmental Preschool. She and her family have been active in many of the programs and events Community Connections has to offer. One of the main passions in her life is the advocacy for developmentally appropriate services and programs for children with special needs. She can be reached at jwiley511@gmail.com.
Apraxia of Speech, Global Delays, Congenital Heart Defect, Febrile Seizure Syndrome
Lauren Woodward is a mother to three boys, Aiden, Mason and Sawyer. Aiden was born with a Congenital Heart Defect with several VSDs that needed repair. At 3 months old, Aiden had open heart surgery at Stanford Children’s Hospital. Once the stitches healed, the cardiologist tried to remove the stitches, but was unsuccessful. Several hours later a massive sternum infection occurred, which resulted in a 2 month long hospitalization and tummy time restrictions until he was 11 months old. Tummy time restrictions caused a cascade of physical developmental delays. When Aiden was 4 years old he received his official Severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech diagnosis at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Aiden now uses an Augmentative Communication Device to talk others, while continuing speech, physical and occupational therapy. Lauren and her husband, Patrick, have been very active in our monthly Parent Support Group meetings. They are both passionate about the importance of a safe space to feel heard and supported while being on this journey of being entrusted with children with special needs. All three of their children love participating in the CC programs. Feel free to reach out to Lauren at teamwoodward28@gmail.com to receive support and encouragement.
Apraxia of Speech, Global Delays, Congenital Heart Defect, Febrile Seizure Syndrome
Patrick Woodward is the father of three young boys: Aiden, Mason, and Sawyer, and the husband of Lauren Woodward. Aiden was born with a heart defect that required open heart surgery at 3 months old. After some complications and a two month hospital stay, Aiden began dealing with physical restrictions from surgery and other unforeseen ramifications of the surgery. Aiden still experiences global developmental delays and was officially diagnosed with Severe Childhood Apraxia of Speech. He uses an AAC talking device to assist with his communication and attends therapy four times a week for speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Patrick has a strong shoulder to lean on with a great ear to listen. He understands that the struggles for fathers of children with special needs have their own unique challenges. Patrick also believes in the importance of having a safe space to facilitate honesty along with anonymity and confidence—that the conversations between fathers shall not be divulged to any other party. Dads can connect with Patrick at patrick.woodward8@gmail.com.
ARKANSAS DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
DeAnn Hunt earned her BSN at Henderson State University in 1986. She worked as a surgical RN, a PACU RN, and then as an SICU RN from 1986 until her son, Al—born with Down syndrome—in 2003. After Al’s birth, DeAnn taught RN nursing students at Baptist Health School of Nursing for three years. She has continuously volunteered for Easterseals Arkansas for over seventeen years. She also founded and ran a summer day camp for children with DS for six years—from 2011 to 2017. She served on the statewide Advisory Board for Best Buddies Arkansas and joined the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Down Syndrome Association in 2013. If you would like to contact DeAnn please email jehdmh@sbcglobal.net.
CEREBRAL PALSY
Hi. I am Michelle McClanahan. I am a Christian, a wife, the mother of 4 and a nurse by training.
My son with special needs is 23. He has Cerebral Palsy and severe developmental delay. He is wheelchair dependent and a joy to parent. I understand that the road to parenting a child with special needs can often be bumpy, hard, and lonely. I am happy to be a listening ear and offer any encouragement I can.
I can be reached at michelle@rileyswarriors.org.