We are so glad you found us in our planning phase! You can be a part of creating Sarah's Acres and making it a truly unique place to support special needs families. Whether you are interested in being a resident, guest, staff member, volunteer, advisor, donor, partner or investor, we are going to need you!
Caregivers, if you are looking for a new way to thrive with a family member with a disability, you are in the right place. We want to blend friends, community, work, support and respite all into one aging solution that meets the needs of not only the special needs family member, but their aging parents (and grandparents too!).
Sarah's Acres was initially inspired by Sarah and her family. Sarah, now 24, was born with Pitt Hopkins syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that has left her unable to walk independently, speak, or use her hands. Sarah is also legally blind.
Sarah's entire family has been part of the community planning. Ingrid, Sarah's mom, is an experienced nonprofit Executive Director. Peter, Sarah's dad, is an internal medicine physician with experience in low income and hospice clinics. Her brother Pierce has a masters degree from UVA's School of Architecture in urban environmental planning and is also a Master Naturalist. Both he and Peter have a Permaculture Design Certificate from the University of Richmond. Gretchen, Sarah's sister, has a B.S. in cognitive science from the University of Richmond.
Ingrid has worked alongside another special needs mom, Kelly Butler, for close to 20 years in family support. Kelly has two children with high support needs. Brooklyn, 19, was born with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that leaves Brooklyn unable to speak, walk, or effectively use her hands. She is GTube fed and battles epilepsy. Brooklyn's younger brother Boston is 15, a two-pound preemie who later was diagnosed with both Down Syndrome and Autism.
We all look forward to adding families to our community as well as playing host to visiting families!