NFD Client: Tim R.
Tim Robb successfully completed the Davis Dyslexia Correction© Program with New Foundations for Dyslexia in December of 2002.
Tim has faced his own challenges with dyslexia. He knows what it’s like to be left out and to fall behind. Tim has been judged himself and believes in taking the time to help those who need it and to see what’s inside them.
Read more about Tim and his amazing journey in self discovery and friendship through a nonprofit program called the Northern Nevada RAVE Foundation.
Erin Breen A tale of 2 kids who hang out
May 1, 2006
Stevie Yates is a teenager who likes spending time with his friends and doing teenage stuff like going bowling, visiting museums and hanging out at the mall. That’s not extraordinary in itself. But given the fact that Stevie is 14, nonverbal and autistic, it is extraordinary indeed that he can get away with his friends. It’s possible because of the Northern Nevada RAVE Foundation.
RAVE stands for Respite And Volunteer Experiences. The nonprofit program has been offering respite services to families of special-needs children for 10 years. This year, Executive Director Rique Robb added a pilot program for teenagers.
“I have always believed strongly that every child deserves a childhood, and there just was nothing here to serve teenagers with special needs,” Robb said. “So we started a program ourselves.”
Twice a month, teen volunteers meet with those with special needs, like Stevie, for an outing. Although two supervisors always come along, the volunteers pretty much pair up with those who need the help.
“How else are kids like Stevie supposed to see how teenagers act, if they don’t get out and take part in things?” asked Stevie’s mother, Stephanie Yates. “Stevie can’t be left alone. He needs people with him all the time. But this way, he’s making friends with kids his own age and learning how to act in social surroundings.” And the teen volunteers are learning a lot about life, too.
Tim Robb has become one of Stevie’s closest friends through RAVE.
“Stevie is a great guy,” Tim said. “He is fun to talk with even though he doesn’t really talk, he communicates by typing on a small computer that talks for him. But he has so much in his head. It’s just that not very many people take the time to listen to him.”
Tim is Rique Robb’s oldest son. He’s in eighth grade and he’s in the Gifted and Talented program at school. He’s on the track team and has circles of friends to enjoy. But he never misses a chance to spend an evening with Stevie.
Tim says he likes being with Stevie because they understand each other. And he’s right. You see, it turns out Tim has faced his own challenges with dyslexia. He knows what it’s like to be left out and to fall behind. Because he’s lived in both worlds, he has an interest in seeing more understanding between the two. Tim has been judged himself. He believes in taking the time to help those who need it and see what’s inside them. Inside just might be a friend like Stevie Yates.
For more information on getting involved with the RAVE foundation, call Robb at 334-9647.
Erin Breen is a Reno freelance writer and mother of three. Write her at the Reno Gazette-Journal, PO Box 22000, Reno, Nev. 89520 or e-mail erinmeehanbreen @sbcglobal.net.
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060501/COL13/605010313
