Our HISTORY
The Dream . . .
Our Center was founded in 1984 by five Mercer County families, who were seeking a facility to conduct the Doman-Delacato method of patterning therapy – a program uniquely designed to treat persons with brain damage. From its foundation, their dream was to keep the services ‘free of charge,’ and operate only on donations from the private sector. It would be modeled after the Rehabilitation Center in Piqua, Ohio, which gave help and hope to these families during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Our 1st Center . . .
We moved into a small, unused school building owned by the St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Peter, Ohio, near Fort Recovery. Through the goodwill and coordination of the parish council, an agreement was drawn up allowing our newly-formed Organization use of their building for therapy purposes, during daytime hours. With In-Kind services from a local attorney and accounting firm, our non-profit and tax exempt status was established. We opened for operation on June 11th with three patients and eleven volunteers! Slowly the Center grew … in patients, volunteers, equipment, and success stories. Before long, we were using every nook and corner in the building – even turning a closet into a vision room. We would occupy their structure, rent free, for the next eighteen-and-a-half years. By the year 2000, it became evident that more space was needed and a building we could call our own. The wheels of change began to turn, though the dream remained the same.
We’re Moving . . .
Buying a building and the decision to move came from a desire of those involved in the Organization to acquire additional space, while also creating a permanent home for the Center. In June of 2002, our Board of Trustees decided to purchase the Burkettsville, Ohio, school building from the St. Henry School District at a purchase price of $1.00! Though a good deal was struck, this facility would require a modest renovation before it could meet the demands of our program. Over 100 individuals & businesses stepped forward and turned it into a place where healing, help, and love could be experienced. Because of the liberal response to our needs, renovation was completed in five months at a minimal cost. On December 3rd, 2002, the doors of the Center swung open at the new address. Again, the Center increased in patients … but the dream remained the same.
We’re Adding On . . .
After receiving a generous donation from an estate, our Board decided to increase the size of our building to accommodate custom features and specialized services. Thus, in November of 2007, a twenty-eight hundred square foot addition, featuring an in-ground trampoline, an up-to-date tactile department, a fully equipped handicapped bathroom, and one office, was built, blessed, and busy by the summer of 2008.
We’re Adding On . . . Again
Overall, the Burkettsville building was a bargain at a cost of $1.00. However as the years passed, it became apparent that the original 1930’s section (east side of our facility) was deteriorating, often resulting in costly repairs. Our Board made a calculated decision to demolish that portion of the building and replace it. Because of logistics, the project had to be executed in 3 phases; west side new build, east side demolish, east side replace. The middle section of the facility would remain intact. The total cost was $1,200,000.00. A Capital Campaign of raising the needed funds began in the early months of 2016. Area Corporations, Businesses, & Individuals stepped forward with financial backing allowing us to reach our projected goal. A Friend of the Center stepped forward to serve as General Manager of Phase I, recruiting only local Contractors, Laborers, and In-Kind Donors, keeping the project financially feasible and community supported. Phase I began in September of 2017 and lasted for 2 years. There were many behind-the-scene hardships, but we persisted for the good of our Organization. Everyone involved were helpful, pitching in wherever needed. Phase II & III began in October 2019 and was completed by November of 2020. This phase was bid out to a local Contracting Company, who had the task of detaching the old structure w/o causing damage to the existing building. It should be noted that these two phases were conducted during Covid 19, which presented additional challenges. However, the process was achieved with professionalism and skill. We moved into this addition at Thanksgiving time of 2020. After four years of renovation, our building was complete ~ and the dream lives on!
About Our Patients . . .
Our Center serves as a long term facility where a patient can come and carry out a program under the direction of our Evaluator for as long as desired. No one has ever been turned away or sent home because of a medical prognosis or lack of scheduled progress. Most Patients do their therapy daily and many display heroic character. Some have been ‘given up on’ though have not themselves ‘given up.’
Much has been written over the years about the program we endorse. For some, it is not the answer, but for many it is. We are here for Patients who want to challenge their neurological potential beyond the acceptable range.
Written & Submitted in 2023 by Joan Kiser
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WE COUNT OUR BLESSINGS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS & DONORS
WHO KEEP OUR DREAM ALIVE!