Cindy Dodds

Q: Pattison's Academy for Comprehensive Education is set to open this fall. What are the major things that need to be done before the first day of class?

A: First and foremost, Pattison's Academy for Comprehensive Education will start a dialogue with children and families to establish and understand the goals and dreams of the children and families we will serve.

This is a collaborative relationship that must be established well before the doors open to ensure partnership and trust. Another obligation that PACE must fulfill is ensuring financial sustainability. Although charter schools are granted public funds, children with multiple disabilities require specialized staff and expensive equipment beyond that of children without disabilities.

So PACE will work to raise additional money to appropriately serve children with multiple disabilities and ensure we will exist for years to come.

Two additional things we need are: 1) teachers with certification in special education and 2) physical and occupational therapists and nurses with pediatric experience, knowledge and interest. All of these things need to be done before the first day of class.

Q: Pattison's will serve students with severe and multiple disabilities in the Charleston County area. What will it provide them that current schools can't?

A: Pattison's Academy will provide the specialized staff, equipment, technology and support necessary in order for children with multiple disabilities to fully participate in life's activities across school, home and community environments. While we are a school, our goal is to support the child's education, health and overall well-being beyond the walls of the school. PACE's model also promotes increasing the physical activity and participation levels of children with multiple disabilities.

Improving physical activity and participation for children with multiple disabilities may enhance their health, quality of life, sleep habits, alertness and comfort. Which in turn will contribute to the well-being and participation of the whole family.

Public schools do provide special ed services, but PACE's programming will be more collaborative and comprehensive -- physical, occupational and speech therapists and special education teachers will be in the classroom together every day. With the educational and medical supports in place that PACE will offer, children and the families will maximize their potential. A comprehensive, collaborative, continuity-of-care model will be more cost effective, less stressful and more productive across time.

PACE has a goal to document the benefits of physical activity participation for children with multiple disabilities and share findings with educational and health care professionals, as there is little information concerning children with severe and multiple disabilities.

Q: You're one of four founders of the school. How did you meet?

A: Yes, I am one of four. The other founders are Debbie Lamb, a pediatric occupational therapist in the community; Pam Sloat, Pattison's mother; and Kimberly Wilson, a gifted special education teacher. In a nutshell, we met and developed a relationship because of Pattison. Pam contacted me about providing physical therapy for Pattison after the mother of another child with disabilities recommended me to her. I then introduced Pam to Debbie and Kimberly, and Pattison's Academy was formed.

I had always seen a need in the community for a special needs day-care facility for children with multiple disabilities. On meeting Pam, I thought, "This lady is bright," and with her help, we might be able to open a day care. Once Debbie and Kimberly joined in on this adventure, we quickly realized the day care needed to be a school in order to significantly impact children with multiple disabilities. We still want to open a preschool, but we have to take one thing at a time unless someone is willing to help us with this.

Q: How did you become interested in helping children with disabilities?

A: I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a physical therapist and help people with disabilities or illness. Since graduation from the Medical College of Virginia's physical therapy program, all of my jobs have involved working with children to some degree. Gradually over the past 15 years, my caseload began to focus on children with multiple disabilities.

Q: What one thing would you like to tell people about children with multiple disabilities?

A: So often, people view children with multiple or severe disabilities as "helpless" since these children usually are unable to walk, talk and care for themselves. However, children with multiple disabilities have abilities, but specialized expertise and equipment is necessary to identify, define and develop their abilities.

Children with multiple disabilities are living and breathing human beings who deserve to fully participate in a meaningful life, with society recognizing they will need more support than children without disabilities. Pattison's Academy will provide this necessary support and change the perception of society concerning children with severe disabilities, from one of disability to one of ability.

Q: What do you think the school's biggest challenge will be?

A: Funding in order for PACE to optimize the health, education and quality of life for children with severe disabilities will be a great challenge in the sustainability of Pattison's Academy. This will be followed by our ability to generate awareness in the district and state so parents, taxpayers, children and all other stakeholders are able to clearly understand the value or our programs and the value of these children in our community.

Q: ECO Fitness has organized a Spinning Marathon to benefit Pattison's Academy. The bikes for the March 6 event sold out in 24 hours. What can other people interested in helping do?

A: Thank Jodi Bateman, Luciana Marcial-Vincion, Allyson Carter, Rebecca Young and a host of other people who organize the Spinathon and Mr. and Mrs. Fox, the owners of ECO Fitness, for sponsoring such a successful event. ... Individuals who wish to help can contribute financially by visiting the Pattison's Academy FirstGiving Web site, www.firstgiving.com/spinforpattisons. No donation is too small; every dollar helps a child with multiple disabilities.

Children with multiple disabilities actually have formed a Spin team, Spinning on adaptive bikes. Interested individuals may stop by the day of the event and cheer on the riders and learn more about some of the children of Pattison's Academy.