UCP Ambassador: Dae’vionte

Dae’vionte (Dae) is a loving 3 year old who is diagnosed with Septo-Optic Dysplasia, Critical Visual Impairments, malformations of the brain, and significant developmental delays.  Despite his disabilities, he is a vivacious little boy who loves to explore new things.  He enjoys spending time outside and especially loves to swing, slide, and crawl under anything humanly possible.  His personality and high spirits seem to touch the hearts of everyone he encounters and leaves them smiling.

Dae’vionte has been attending UCP’s Early Learning Center for 1 ½ years and has made many great strides since his arrival.  At first starting UCP, Dae’vionte was unable to independently walk.  Within a month or so he was off and walking.  This accomplishment served as a big milestone for him and with it came a new found sense of independence and mobility, which prompted him to explore many things that he had once feared.

UCP has created an environment in which he is constantly interacting with a diverse group of peers, which teaches him many new things and often motivates him to try and achieve things his disabilities inhibit or hinder.  UCP has helped to create structure in his life and is continuing to help him learn the necessary skills to lead an average life despite his disabilities.  The services offered by UCP have been a warm welcoming addition to our lives and they have served us in an equal and inclusive manner.  UCP has not allowed Dae’vionte’s disability define who he is and have an optimistic outlook for his potential.

With the continuation of support from programs at UCP and Dae’s determination we have no doubt in our minds and hearts that one day he will be enjoying and doing many more similar things as those his age.  Dae’vionte’s continual success and goals accomplished are an excellent example of UCP’s motto and purpose “Life without Limits for People with Disabilities.”

To date, Dae’vionte has mastered one phrase, which is “Uh-oh”, we like to think that it is his way of telling people who choose to define him based on his disabilities that “Uh-oh” they are wrong about him, and he CAN and WILL accomplish many things.

– Dae’vionte’s Parents, Tashira and Mitchell