by Gabby Morales
This is another one of my posts under the 5+ entries from popular media regarding those who have PD at their side. After finally finding the little amount of time I have during the day to myself, I decided to substitute it by looking through popular media in order to find those great individuals who are making a difference by using resources that have always been available, yet which others have deemed not as important.
While browsing news content, I came across a name, Barbara Palilis. Barbara has a story that, in my opinion, revolves completely around PD. Barbara received her Master’s degree in Communication Disorders and worked as a Speech/Language Pathologist in many places ranging from private practice to school districts. Yet, something was lacking for Barbara. In 1999 she created a program called Circle of Friends (CoF) at Santa Monica High School, in California. After a couple more years, in 2005, she founded a non-profit organization that trains schools to open CoF programs. So what is Circle of Friends? What does this program do? Circle of Friends is a program that now not only includes high schools, but middle schools and colleges in California and two in Oregon. This program allows those students with special needs to pair up with non-disabled students and establish a friendship that not only occurs within the school grounds, but around the community. This program is allowing disabled students to live the social life, carry the conversations needed, and form a great self-esteem that they need to have in order to help them through life. Due to the amazing response this program has had, now disabled students are not left alone during lunch time, after school or weekends. “I’m not alone,” some of the disabled students have to say in regards to the program. They are now able to socialize and keep those friendships. Parents are also encouraged to come to meetings to be able to discuss challenges, ideas, and information in order to make the experience better for their children.
This program needs to be established nationwide. There are many kids around the nation that will benefit from a program that dedicates itself to help others in such an amazing way. Friendship, the donkey no one noticed or even thought worthy to give to these children with special needs turned out to be the answer. Barbara Palilis, a woman who did see the essence of friendship as being a key factor, took the chance and made it a success.
“It doesn’t take away autism, it doesn’t take away Down syndrome, but it really helps to improve their quality of life.” –Barbara Palilis
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