Colby Wallace is a 9-year-old boy who suffered abusive head trauma as an infant that left him with lifelong mobility and communication impairments. After starting at Meeting Street school in kindergarten, Colby has made significant progress in his mobility, communication, and independence due to the specialized attention and inclusive learning environment. He now zips around on a walker and is learning to use a power wheelchair, can recognize words and order from menus himself, and his attention span has increased allowing him to learn skills like counting and telling time. Meeting Street aims to provide Colby and 3,000 other children an inclusive environment where they can learn, play, and gain confidence, allowing each to reach their full potential. The letter requests

1. Month Date Year
1000 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02905 TEL 401.533.9100 FAX 401.533.9101 www.meetingstreet.org
YES!
From:To: Meeting Street
1000 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02905
Please make any needed corrections in your name and address above and return this form for our records.
Your contribution is deductible for income tax purposes. Please make your check payable to Meeting Street.
Thank You. (Please see reverse side for Credit Card information.)
I want to continue to help Meeting Street make it
possible for all children to discover and learn together.
PERF
(over, please)
<Name>
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!026012621226!
Dear Mrs. Seddon,
Meet Colby Wallace - an exhuberant nine year old boy. Colby is a survivor
of a nearly fatal episode of abusive head trauma that he suffered at the hands of his daycare
provider when he was just an infant. We welcomed Colby as a Meeting Street kindergartner in
2008. Although living with the irreversible consequences of shaken baby syndrome, Colby arrived
at Meeting Street with a remarkable resilience and an engaging personality, however his mobility
was entirely dependent on others. For Colby to get wherever he wanted and needed to go required
that he either be pushed in his wheelchair or carried. Communication was also a significant
challenge. Despite Colby’s eagerness to express his needs and wants, his caregivers often struggled
to understand them.
Fortunately for Colby, a lot can change in three years at Meeting Street. On any given day now he
can be seen energetically zipping down the hallways with his walker on his way to our gym where
he can ride an adapted bicycle or take yoga, dance or swim class. Lately you can also spot him
excitedly waving to his friends (and fans) from the power wheelchair that he’s learning to use—his
face beaming with pride from the newfound independence that’s come with his increased mobility.
As a result of determination on his part and the specialized attention he’s received at Meeting
Street, Colby is now able to recognize sight words on billboards and signs in the community. These
days when he’s out and about with his family, he is adamant that HE choose what he wants to
order off a restaurant menu and that HE pick out the books he wants to read at the library.
This month, Colby will be starting in the third grade at The Grace School where he’ll continue to
benefit from Meeting Street’s philosophy of inclusion. Just as it’s been since kindergarten, this year
Colby’s class will be comprised of children with and without special needs.
“His classmates are just as important as the staff in
providing the best learning environment for Colby.”
– Gina, Colby’s Mom
September XX, 2011
<Name>
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<City, State Zip>
Enclosed is my gift of:
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COLBY

2. In addition to the strides he’s made in mobility and communication, Colby’s attention span has
increased dramatically making it possible for him to learn to count and tell time. He’s also become
quite a prolific artist since his arrival at Meeting Street, and he’s now able to clearly request that his
cherished creations be prominently displayed around his house.
“Colby has formed a bond with his peers. The inclusive setting is ideal
because Colby learns by watching and his classmates are always there
to guide him. The children want him to succeed.”
– Gina, Colby’s Mom
Like lots of boys his age, outside of school Colby is active! He plays Challenger baseball and
basketball and goes to the movies with his family and friends. He loves listening to music (Elvis in
particular), and he is a passionate Red Sox fan.
If you ask Colby what he wants to be when he grows up, he’ll tell you he wants to be “a movie star.”
With no shortage of admirers, at Meeting Street Colby is already a superstar.
“Colby is a cute, nice friend. He likes telling jokes and has the best laugh.”
– Yadellis, classmate of Colby’s
As a result of the generosity of donors, Meeting Street is able to offer Colby and 3,000 other children
from birth to twenty-one years of age an inclusive environment where they can learn, play and work
together—gaining vital confidence and independence in the process.
Please lend your support for these remarkable children by giving a gift today. A donation from you
will help ensure that children with challenges can continue to reap the benefits of Meeting Street’s
specialized programs and services - services which enable each one of them reach their fullest
potential. Moreover, your gift will help make it possible for all children in our community to benefit
from our extraordinary resources and to flourish in the warm and caring environment that is
Meeting Street.
On behalf of all of our children and their families, thank you for your generosity and for making
Meeting Street a charity of choice..
Sincerely,
John M. Kelly
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Meeting Street at 1000 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02905 and ask to be
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Thanks so much for
caring and giving!
Where Your Dollars Go
13%
87%
Programs and Services
for Children
Administration
PERF