When Kennedy Hollifield first reached out to UCP Huntsville’s Early Intervention program, she expressed her concern that her son was “struggling with speech and we needed help.” What followed was, in her words, “an amazing experience with the best possible outcome.” Over just a few months, Forrest began saying three or more words at once, forming sentences, and communicating so much better. Kennedy shared that their speech therapist, “Annalee was absolutely incredible and we love her! We absolutely hit our goal with him, and we are so thankful for the help and love we received.” Today, the Hollifield’s can see exactly how far he’s come — “Now Forrest understands us better, he helps, tells us what he wants, and so much more!” Kennedy says, “We are just so thankful to you guys. We couldn’t have done it without your help and compassion.”
When Krystal Barrett was introduced to UCP Huntsville’s Alabama Lifespan Respite program, she was, in her words, “at the end of my rope, burnt out, struggling mentally, emotionally, and financially.” A single mother of two children with special needs, Krystal was doing everything she could to navigate waitlists, manage care, and hold her own health together when she was connected to Lifespan Respite through Help Me Grow Alabama. Since then, she says, “Alabama Lifespan Respite has helped my family greatly. I’ve learned a lot about our diagnosis, been given resources, financial support, and guidance on long-term care options.” The program has taught her how to take care of herself, manage stress, and “say no when I’m at my limit.” Krystal says programs like this are “a godsend to families like mine that have limited to no support.”