Rise Up for Alice & Friends - CO Gives Day

Hi, I'm Alice and I just turned 3 years old! Welcome to my family's  fundraising page for The Rise School of Denver, a high-quality inclusive preschool that supports young children with and without disabilities. The Rise School launched as a nonprofit in 2003 when six families with young children with Down syndrome came together to create an inclusive preschool - one that has touched the lives of hundreds of families over the years since then. Rise provides a low adult-to-child ratio, master's degree teachers, highly trained teacher assistants, and expert therapists who enrich the development of every child with and without disabilities.

My story: Shortly after I was born 5 weeks premature and a tiny-but-mighty 3lbs4oz, the docs discovered a VSD (hole in my heart) that would require surgery, and a rare genetic syndrome that would affect different areas of my development. I spent 3 months in the NICU (thank you nurses - you are angels!) and had open heart surgery at 6 months. That was a lot for my little body, so after that I needed a g-tube to help get proper nutrition while I took more time to learn how to eat everything on my own. Since then I've had LOTS of doctors appointments, 4-5 more procedures, trips to other hospitals and specialists in other states, and weekly feeding therapy. I know my parents are working hard to help me! 

It wasn't easy last year finding a school that could accommodate my needs, but then my family found Rise, and we instantly felt at ease, welcomed, supported and inspired. I loved it so much I didn't even cry at drop-off my first week! I could just feel the goodness in the air. I'm in my second year at Rise now, in the Kangaroos class, and it has become a place that feels like home for all of us. I heard my parents say that this school transformed their lives, and that's why they wanted to do this fundraising page because they're so thankful. And I am too! It's nice that no one looks at me strangely when I get my feedings - it's just part of who I am and what I need right now! And everyone is so patient with me while I try and taste new things at snack time - even if it's just a little lick. 

Enough about me - here's where you come in: Tuition alone brings in approximately 45% of the funds needed to cover school costs during the year, leaving nearly $775,000 left to be raised through Rise Therapy Center, grants, family foundations, and individual donations. Will you be willing to give, so Rise can support more kids like me?