In Tuesday’s blog I mentioned the link between Alzheimer’s and Down Syndrome that is so clearly predominant.  ARC Marion has 50 clients who live in our care 24/7 in group homes around our community, and many of them are Down’s clients.  Of those, at least a dozen have been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, even at [...]

In the very recent past I’ve become aware of a link between two well-known diseases that those who aren’t closely associated with individuals with Down syndrome would not be aware.  That connection is between Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome. 
According to WebMD, the genetic makeup and immune system abnormalities of those with Downs can cause them to [...]

A few months ago, I posted information about our annual Hog for Hope  fundraiser, and how excited we were to get started with the specifics, in this, our ninth year.   The events wrap up on Friday, June 4 with a BBQ catered meal sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, live blue bands all night long, and the [...]

Recently, the nation paused for a moment of reflection during the National Day of Prayer.  An organizer of a group on Facebook, Betty Greene, sent a message to participants that day that struck my attention.  Though I don’t know her, nor have I ever met her, I feel her message is worthy of reposting.  She [...]

For the past eight months, I’ve been writing about everything from my own personal experiences growing up with a developmentally disabled sister to other people far off and their decisions.    I’ve talked about how thankful I am to have healthy children, and what people who have children with disabilities should do in the form of [...]

As we are in the height of fundraising season at the Heart of Florida Hope Foundation, the fundraising arm for ARC Marion, it’s always interesting for me to pause and reflect on just how we can reach people with our message.  Sure, we have fun events in which anyone would want to be apart such [...]

Right on the heels of the famed Kentucky Derby and hearing just how many of our Ocala born, bred or trained horses competed in the event, you have to understand that our little Ocala community is a pretty unique place.  We’re called the horse capital of the world, because there are nearly 1,000 horse farms [...]

It was in October that we first told you the story about a former ARC Marion Early Intervention Program student giving back to the EIP by building a playset for his Eagle Scout project.  Well, just last week, our local newspaper published the story about Garrett Jackson and another student, Matthew Winfree, who both chose [...]