The Joshua Center Story
The concept of the Joshua Center grew from the humble roots of twenty years of
service – from the deep desire of two mothers who wanted to provide support to
families to lessen the burden of day-to-day life with Tourette Syndrome. Today, the Joshua
Center has provided invaluable assistance to thousands of families. The
following is a brief account of the Center’s origins.
Discovering the Challenge
On the day her son was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, Becky Ottinger became
determined to do everything in her power to insure that Joshua would grow up
happy, healthy and “normal.” She had no idea that the challenges to her quest
would be daunting and painful beyond belief. She did not realize that her life
would dramatically change; that her new mission would soon become her life’s
work – a work that would ultimately help thousands.
Herself an educator, Becky immediately attempted to learn all she could on the
subject. She sought the advice and counsel of professionals. She talked to other
parents with affected children. She soon discovered there was not a great deal
of
information readily available. And just as important, she discovered an
abundance of
misinformation. And because she did not know how to help Joshua in the school system with
his misunderstood neurological symptoms, Becky became frustrated.
In 1987, Becky Ottinger became involved with the local chapter of the Tourette
Syndrome Association. There she met Orrilla Clough, also a "Tourette" mother. At
that time, the chapter held support group meetings only twice a month. Becky remembers
walking away from the first meeting wondering how she could possibly survive
until the next meeting without being able to talk to someone who “really understood.” It
was clear that more needed to be done to help the hundreds of children and their
families. She certainly didn’t want other children to go through what Josh did.
Research and Service Prepares the Foundation
Over the years Orrilla answered calls from parents and Becky observed hundreds
of children in the classroom setting, participating in every school district
both within and without the the metropolitan area. Information gained from these
observations was shared with teachers, parents and doctors. With over 1000
individuals (800 children) diagnosed in the Kansas City area they were kept very
busy. As a parent of a child with the disorders and as a teacher, Becky was able
to help both parents and teachers.
Before realizing her dream of opening the Joshua Center, Becky served on the
Board of Directors of the Kansas City Tourette Syndrome Association Chapter for
ten years and served two years on the National TSA Board of Directors and the
National TSA Education Advisory Board. Orrilla served as president of the
chapter for more than ten years. Together they developed the Bowl-A-Thon to help
support programs for kids.
|
And the Joshua Center is Born
In 1992, Becky quit teaching so that she could spend more time helping these
kids. In 1995, with the help of Judy Reece, former Science Resource teacher who
became the principal at Becky’s former school, Becky designed a camp for the kids at
Rotary Youth Camp in Lee’s Summit, MO. Each year over fifty campers attend a
five-day and night program. It continues to be one of the most successful
programs we have developed.
Over the years Orrilla, Becky, several other parents, and Jack Southwick, M.S.W.,
who specializes in the treatment of neurological disorders, decided more needed
to be done so the Joshua Child and Development Center was developed. In November
of 1996 the Joshua Child and Family Development Center was opened. It is named
after Becky’s son, Josh Oliver.
Each day the Joshua Center receives numerous calls from schools, medical
professionals, and parents of children who have recently received a diagnosis or
are in need of an evaluation.
|
Click to see the "real" Joshua
|
If you have knowledge, let others
light their candles in it. Margaret Fuller
|
