accessories to raise money for causes dear to Courtney’s heart, with the first campaign supporting American Medical Refugees. Approximately three fundraising campaigns will be held each year, with 30 percent of profit aiding organizations agreed upon by the board of directors. DeAnna sees the business as not only an avenue for Courtney to help others but also an opportunity for the teen, who’s been wanting to get a job since she turned 16, to further develop her work ethic. In addition to preparing Courtney for college, DeAnna wants to set up her daughter with a long-term meaningful career. “She is more than capable of the operations of this type of a business,” said DeAnna. “She loves socializing with people, and this gives her joy.” Inner strength Courtney comes by her inner strength and desire to serve naturally, her mom setting an example in perseverance and determination. Courtney is the youngest of nine siblings,
and her dad passed away three days before she was born. DeAnna had recently left her successful career as a parole and probation officer to return to school to get a degree in education. She faced the realization that she would be raising a child with special needs and had to find a new career alone. It was her faith and church family that pulled her through hard times. She also found com- munity through the Down Syndrome Associ- ation of Central Oklahoma and has excelled in her work in special education at Star Spencer High School. “When you’re pregnant, you have [all] these plans,” said DeAnna. “When you find out your child has a disability it’s scary and you have to modify your goals. You gauge where they are and you reset [your] goals, just like with any child.” DeAnna has always focused on Courtney’s abilities, helping her realize her goals and watching in awe as her daughter lives a ful- filled, inspirational life with no boundaries. “People see me do things and it helps them to know people with Down syndrome can do more than they think,” said Courtney.
COURTNEY IS ESCORTED BY ACTRESS MIKAELA HOOVER AS ONE OF 20 SELF ADVOCATES SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BE BEAUTIFUL, BE YOURSELF FASHION SHOW.
PREPARE TO BE SURPRISED.
Meet the Maddox family. They have two boys, a daughter with cerebral palsy who is confined to a wheelchair and an infant they foster. It’s more than most of us could handle.
All the best toys are at learning tree STEM Toys
But the Maddoxes don’t just receive help from United Way agencies, they find room in a stretched budget and they give to the United Way.
Can you?
GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.
United Way of Central Oklahoma
7638 N. Western, OKC 405-848-1415
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