Success Stories

Meet Calvin: A Bridge to A Dream Come True

“Disability need not be an obstacle to success.” – Stephen Hawking

When anyone asked little Calvin what he wanted to be when he grew up, he always excitedly replied, “A FIREFIGHTER!” He dreamed of becoming a home-town hero that bravely rode on the big red truck with sirens a blazing, courageously fighting a roaring fire to save a loving family inside… just within the nick of time.

His childhood room was decorated in firetrucks that lined the border of his walls. He had just about every size of Tonka fire truck to play with, wishing his dream would become reality. While he was young, no one ever told Calvin that he would never be able to achieve this dream, but it became increasingly obvious that his dream would be a very big challenge...and one that may never happen.

Calvin was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth, a genetic condition in which the individual is born with an extra chromosome that causes the body and brain to develop differently than those born without the extra chromosome. In Calvin’s case, he suffered from seizures and breathing problems.

As Calvin grew, his development, both physically and intellectually, was stunted. Not only did his muscle tone decrease, but so did his vision and hearing. His mother, Carla, knew there had to be a day where she had to painfully explain to her son that his dream of becoming a firefighter would be too dangerous for him to endure.

One day, Calvin and Carla met their new Healing Bridges supports coordinator Jeremy. When Jeremy asked Calvin what his goals and aspirations were, he sheepishly answered with his typical response of becoming a firefighter, however, this time he had tears in his eyes and followed up with “... but I know I can’t really do that.”

That night, Jeremy could not get Calvin’s tear-soaked face out of his mind. It was saddening to think how unfair it was that he did not have the ability to do the same things that everyone else was able to do. Inspired by Calvin’s passion and tenacity, Jeremy started making some phone calls that very next morning. With the help of a local fire chief Stephen Brody, Calvin’s dream wasn’t as far off as he was told it would be.

Jeremy met Calvin and Carla at Chief Brody’s fire station after one week of planning went by. Right when they pulled into the parking lot, Jeremy witnessed Calvin’s face immediately light up once they saw the garage full of trucks and the four men and women dressed in uniform who came out to greet them. Chief Brody had arranged for Calvin to spend the day with some of his best firefighters. He was able to ride on a firetruck, blast the sirens, shoot the hose, and even (with assistance) slide down the fireman’s pole. The polite firefighters gave Calvin his very own fireman’s helmet and a certificate with the honorary title of “Firefighter Calvin,” which Calvin proudly displayed on his bedroom wall.

Carla was beaming with excitement and gratitude for making all of her son’s dreams come true. While Jeremy was making phone calls to local fire stations that previous week, it was then he found out that Chief Brody himself had a son with an autism disorder and personally knew how developmental delays can impact a family, which sparked his interest.

Once Calvin and Carla finished their day at the fire station, Carla wrote a sweet note to Jeremy commending him for not allowing Calvin’s disability to prevent him from achieving his dream.

“Healing Bridges has employees that deeply care,” Carla said. “Jeremy was creative and thought outside the box to help my son catch a glimpse of his greatest wish. I am grateful for all the work that was put in to make my son smile and give him hope.”

With the support of family, friends and community, people with disabilities can and should decide how to live their lives. Help us support people like Calvin to keep dreaming because you never know what future experience is right around the corner.