Say Hello to Maria

Say Hello!

See Me!

“When your child is born with a disability, you go from the world you know to a very different place… a world that can be inaccessible and challenging. For our family, Plan A was no longer an option, we were now living with Plan B.” “Then we found P.G. Chambers School, a place where Maria has become an engaging 12-year-old girl.”

Tiny, unborn Maria had a stroke in utero, three months into her mother’s pregnancy. Her parents, Kathy and John, tell us, “This shook our world and everything changed from that moment on.” In the eighth month of the pregnancy, Maria had a second stroke, and her parents’ worst fears for her were confirmed.

Their baby girl was born blind, with bilateral cataracts, microcephaly, microphthalmia, a seizure disorder, hydrocephalus, and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Doctors said Maria’s combination of disabilities was “one in a million” and would have a devastating impact on her growth and development.

SmileBack! ’’“ O ur Maria loves to be around people, but when she reaches out and says ‘hello’ some people move away, stare, or just pretend she is not there. ‘Say hello!’ I want to shout. ‘She is a little girl, just like any other 12-year-old girl. She wants to be seen, she wants you to smile at her.’”

- Kathy, Maria’s mother

In her first three years of life, Maria experienced severe developmental delays, and as she grew, her disabilities grew with her. Those years were filled with doctors, surgeries, heartache, and isolation.

Kathy, Maria’s mother, describes what it was like for her family.

Because of P.G. Chambers School, Maria can now move on her own, using her walker.

Maria can ride a bike with her sister.

Maria can “talk” using her iPad. Maria can dance and sing.

Maria has friends.

Maria’s parents have other parents to talk to.

Because of P.G. Chambers School, Maria is seen!

Now is the time for you to answer Kathy’s plea and respond to Maria and all of the children at P.G. Chambers School — giving them a voice, movement, access to learning, and helping them succeed.

Do not be the person who looks away — smile back with your gift to the children.

Officers of the Board of Trustees Unjeria C. Jackson, M.D. President Thomas J. Walsh Vice President

Lori Solomon Vice President and Treasurer

Patricia Sly Secretary and Executive Director Board of Trustees

Anthony Bonanno Patricia Chambers Jerry DeFrancisco Lesley Draper Eric C. Elbell Abbey Horwitz Walter Kneis Susan Lodge Joseph Longo Aftab Malik Peter Porraro Gabriel Sasso Steve Tuttle Steve Vittorio

To read more of Maria’s story, please visit www.chambersschool/Maria At P.G. Chambers School (PGCS), “discovering potential” is at the heart of our mission, inspiring us to provide the best, most comprehensive special education and therapy programs for children with disabilities and developmental delays and inclusive early education for all children.

We strive to instill a love of learning, encourage independence, and most importantly, inspire unshakable self-confidence. Our children are successful, as we have made this our singular focus for more than 60 years, building a reputation for excellence recognized throughout New Jersey.

Each year, PGCS provides services for more than 800 children and their families, both on-site at our school’s state-of-the-art facility, as well as off-site in homes, childcare centers, and schools.

PGCS children benefit from individualized instruction, the latest technology, community partnerships, and highly qualified educators, therapists, nurses, teaching assistants, social workers, and administrators.

We expect all students to make measurable academic improvements, communicate effectively, achieve independence and self-confidence, and, when the time is right, participate in their community schools.

P.G. Chambers School is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Tax ID #22-1551480. Information concerning charitable solicitations may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 609.292.4925. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.