News

Leo Bishop may not be able to communicate with words, but his parents have no difficulty understanding their son, who turns 3 in August.“He can tell us things just by the way he cries, the way he squeals, the way he laughs, the way he smiles,” says his mother, Jeanine Bishop.That’s how they know Leo enjoys a new type of wellness program he started this past February.  Once a week, the family visits Raintree to use that facility’s small spa tub.  Ben Bishop climbs into the pool, and Jeanine hands Leo to his father.

John Penney has a special gift for remembering dates.“I can tell you all the presidents of the United States, when they were born, when they died,” says John.  “I know all of the vice-presidents, too!”As you might expect, he’s pretty good at Trivial Pursuit – especially history-related questions.  While history isn’t always challenging for John, other things can be. 

Makayla Luther says she has been volunteering with people with disabilities for as long as she can remember. That says a lot considering Makayla is only 15 years old.

Local teen named Hero with Heart

For years, individuals with disabilities had few options to save money without fear of losing their benefits. That all changed last June when Ohio became the first in the nation to launch STABLE Accounts.

Chris Allison wasn’t planning to work in the developmental disabilities field after completing college. That was until he visited his brother, Christian, who lived in a group home in Columbus that also housed juvenile delinquents.

Born a month early, Max spent more than a month in the hospital and was slow to gain weight, even though he was taking his bottle. Mallory says her youngest son screamed six times a day for eight months.

Twenty-six people got to experience first-hand what it means to have a disability as Richland Newhope sponsored its 16th Annual Community Awareness Day.

Richland Newhope salutes winners of 24th Annual Richland County Third Grade Coloring Contest sponsored by Richland Newhope.

Richland Newhope is celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March and launching Always There – a yearlong campaign to recognize the 50th anniversary of Ohio’s County Boards of Developmental Disabilities.

Nominations are being sought for Richland Newhope's Hero with Heart award.