Dr. Joe and April Niamtu donate generously to SOAR365, where their sons received pediatric therapy.
When parents first learn their child has a disability, it can be a disorienting experience. “You don’t know what to do. You’re lost,” says Dr. Joe Niamtu. He and his wife, April, are parents to two sons with cerebral palsy: Joey and Evan.
When Joey was about a year old, his neurologist referred the family to SOAR365 Pediatric Therapy for early intervention services (from birth to three years old). “When we found out about SOAR365, it was like being in the desert, crawling in the sand, being thirsty for days” and suddenly finding an oasis, says Dr. Niamtu.
“It was a one stop shop for so many things.”
Joey was able to receive PT, OT and vision therapies in the comfort of his own home. And his therapists were a source of comfort for his parents as well.
“They were just remarkable. They were also instrumental for them to start school,” says April. “I would have never imagined Joey going to school. But it was them saying, ‘Oh, definitely by the time he’s two years old…’ They went with me to the school and met the whole team.”
“Another thing about SOAR365 is the people that they hire are 100% unconditionally committed,” says Dr. Niamtu. “And they are there for the right reasons,” adds April.
SOAR365’s pediatric therapists stayed with Joey and Evan through their early years in school, until they outgrew the services. But the Niamtus never forgot what SOAR365 meant to their family.
Dr. Joe and April Niamtu have continued to support SOAR365 by making financial contributions, most recently with a generous gift of $50,000. Their kindness helps SOAR365 reach even more families, creating life-fulling opportunities for people with disabilities, like Joey and Evan. But they haven’t stopped there. The Niamtus have also worked to raise public awareness of SOAR365 and been involved with key fundraising events, like the Ladybug Fund Winetasting & Silent Auction.
“If we could look at the milestones in our life and in the lives of our children, that was the first board in the bridge. We will always have an appreciation and always do some type of support,” says Dr. Niamtu.
To learn more about the many ways you can support SOAR365, visit soar365.org/how-to-help or donate today, at soar365.org/donate.