Hot off the presses, or at least new to a Web site near you is the current issue of ARC Marion and the Heart of Florida Hope Foundation’s The Point newsletter.  Please check out what all is going on with our great organizations by clicking here.  If you would like to be on our regular email [...]

One of our local magazines, Ocala Magazine, featured a story in Septemer about Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in Citra, Florida.  They have programs specifically for people with disabilities of all ages where they are able to ride and learn about horses.   It wasn’t that article that caught my attention.  It was a short [...]

For the third straight year ARC Marion client artwork will be featured in the children’s workshop area of the Fine Arts for Ocala Fall Arts Festival.  Ever since we started putting art in the exhibit, the developmentally disabled clients at ARC Marion have been so excited to work on projects all year long in hopes [...]

As a little burst of cool air came through Florida this week, I began to think of how much I love and miss really seeing the seasons change.  It also caused me to reminisce of how people seem to come in and out of your life for seasons, too.  One such person that came to [...]

In September a Florida father, James Willie Jones, was arrested and later charged with two second degree misdemeanors for storming onto his daughter’s school bus and yelling and threatening students who were bullying her.  He has since repeatedly apologized to the children affected who weren’t involved as well as the manner and tone with which [...]

I learned about a program a little too late to promote involvement for this year, but it is still worthy of mentioning in a blog about advocating for special people with disabilities.  The article I read in our local newspaper lead me to learn over the first weekend in October, the local City of Ocala’s [...]

All of the clients who attend ARC Marion are fascinating and unique individuals.  I would like to focus on one remarkable lady who is intellectually disabled and legally blind.  I’ve always heard that if you are lacking in one of your five senses, then all of your others are magnified.  I would definitely say that [...]

When working daily with the developmentally disabled you see a wide array of successes and challenges.  We know there are some cases where an individual’s level of care and quality of life gets better, but to an outsider it may appear that no real success is occurring.  However, there are many examples individuals whose lives [...]