Natalie’s Story
Listen to this blog post: “How are you?” These were the first words Natalie said after her brain surgery when her brother, Rich, came to visit her. They were both small kids at the time. Almost 50 years after this experience, Rich gets emotional when memories strike him. They’ve always had a strong bond—always caring […]
Crystal’s Story
Crystal is remarkable—so beautiful in many beautiful ways. She experiences life differently, and that difference is not a limitation. This is how Crystal’s dad, Hosea, describes her.Roxana and Hosea always wanted a girl. When Crystal was born, it was a dream come true. Her mom and dad were overjoyed and filled with hope for the […]
There’s Never a Wrong Time to Talk About Men’s Mental Health
Corey’s childhood was far from perfect. He had the support of family and friends, but even in the earliest stages of his life, something felt missing. He felt isolated, alone, and not good enough. His parents, Jeff and Debbie, noticed Corey’s mental struggles as early as elementary school. And middle and high school were no […]
Helping Young People with Disabilities Find Jobs and Independence – Eric’s Story
Eric’s enthusiasm for helping others is evident from the very first moment you speak with him. He’s passionate about contributing to his community and dreams of finding a job that will allow him to truly thrive. Eric is one of over 100 young people with disabilities who have graduated from Bobby Dodd Institute’s (BDI) Getting […]
First Steps Into Adulthood
She is young, full of energy and big dreams. One day, she wants to go to college and live independently. She likes singing and dreams of becoming a movie star. Her name is Annabella. Annabella was one of the nearly 100 participants in the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) Getting Ready for Opportunities in Work (G.R.O.W.) […]
Healing through the Art of Music
Olivia had her first seizure in May 2021, which prompted her family to seek immediate medical attention. A comprehensive gene panel confirmed a lifelong diagnosis – GRIN2A gene mutation. This condition may cause a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including epilepsy. Olivia, or as she prefers to be called – Olive, is now nine years old. […]
2024 Luminary Rondarius Jordan – A Standout Student
Rondarius Jordan describes himself as strategic and hard-working. These qualities and his dedication to learning about information technology systems made Rondarius a standout student in the first cohort of BDI’s Bridge Academy. The Bridge Academy provides adults with disabilities living in Atlanta with 20 weeks of technical training. Students are prepared to earn the globally […]
Finding Independence: Tina’s Story
After losing her mother, Tina needed a supportive place to live. Tina’s sister, Beth, spent over a year applying for assistance before being referred to the Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI). BDI helped Tina and Beth persist and secure the assistance Tina needed to live independently in a group setting. Tina found not only shelter but […]
A Priceless Ride to Independence
Gabrielle has a history of turning can’t into can. At six months old, Gabby was diagnosed with schizencephaly, a rare developmental birth defect that causes clefts in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Doctors told Gabby’s parents she likely would not be able to feed herself, read, or do many other “normal” things. Gabby is […]
Will’s Story: Securing an Independent Future
Will Park was facing an uncertain future before his family was referred to Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI). Born with a rare genetic disorder, Will lives with multiple disabilities, including developmental delays, autism, and generalized seizures. The Park family sought assistance from the public school system, but found they needed additional resources to meet Will’s complex […]