MEET BENNETT

Friends of Sunshine, 

What an incredible year it’s been at Sunshine School & Development Center! As 2025 draws to a close, we are compelled to reflect on the smiles and successes in our halls, and it’s because of the immense impact you have on the lives of so many. Whether you made a gift or shared your time and resources, your support is the consistent light guiding our mission, shining through every ‘Wow!’ moment and milestone reached. We are so grateful to continue providing life-changing services to people touched by disability in the Northwest Arkansas community. Your generosity fuels the growth of our services, including specialized therapy, early childhood education, and family advocacy.

This year, our programs grew stronger than we have seen before, with innovations like our brand new feeding room to support children on feeding tubes or special diets. Each of our therapies - physical, occupational, speech-language, and behavioral - are designed to to meet each child exactly where they are and help build skills to reach their full potential. For children like Bennett Brown, these treatments are essential for his journey. 

Bennett is a four-year-old with Down syndrome who has captured the hearts of our staff. For Bennett, everyone is important enough to be friends with him, and he makes it his mission to greet every person as he steps in and out of Sunshine’s doors. In the year he’s been at Sunshine School, Bennett has seen amazing progress towards his developmental milestones.

I love his ability to capture your heart. In Bennett’s world, everything is ‘Wow!’

- Janet Merlos, physical therapist

Despite Bennett’s positive spirit, he has faced many challenges living with Down syndrome. He is affected in several ways, where one single therapy is not enough. Bennett receives the collaboration of speech, physical, and occupational therapies at Sunshine School to treat his delays in cognitive and muscle development, fine motor coordination, and language skills.

Bennett’s physical therapist says he has low muscle tone, shorter limbs, and extra movement in his neck that could put pressure on his spinal cord. This means we focus on strengthening his body each day, being mindful of activities involving sudden motion. It’s important to ensure Bennett receives x-rays before playing sports to keep him safe while he continues to grow stronger. His occupational therapist explains he is stronger than most kids with Down syndrome, but his looser body affects his fine-motor abilities. Our therapists work with him on things like walking steadily, stacking blocks, and drawing to improve his precision movements and control.

In speech therapy, Bennett builds cognition, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. He struggles creating connections between words and identifying objects, so following multi-step directions can be difficult. He can most certainly express his emotions loud and clear, but can’t always verbalize them. Without early intervention services, Bennett’s ability to follow directions, socialize with peers, or even walk around will be harder. If Bennett displays cognitive delays that hinder his ability to follow directions, then how do our therapists work with him? That’s where play therapy comes in, allowing kids to have fun while sneaking in therapeutic work along the way.

“When we do play therapy, it’s using the interests of the child and what they want to do to shape their language,” his speech pathologist Krista Kjorlaug explains. “If they’re interested in the activity, they are more motivated to do it. We want to follow the child’s lead to engage them in therapy.”

Our positive, child-led approach defines what makes Sunshine School special, as it helps children with disabilities associate happily with their education and treatments. Bennett is always excited to go to his therapy sessions instead of dreading it, and he even can get a little jealous when therapists come to his classroom for another child. The bond between our team and our children is key to helping them grow. 

“You have to build a bond with a kiddo,” his occupational therapist Jennifer Robles said. “If you don’t, they’re not going to listen because they don’t know you. The first sessions especially are very child-led, as then you can see what they like to do. We want to know what excites them so we can use that to work on the things we need to.”

At Sunshine School, we believe that the core goal of each child’s journey is fostering independence. We strive to build their capacity to make choices for themselves or to eventually live on their own in adulthood with little to no support. Independence with confidence means Bennett gains power and control over his own life, and children just like him can reach their full potential with the right treatment. Each child deserves the capability to live life able to walk, play, and communicate their needs.

"As a family, we do not allow Bennett’s diagnosis to define him or his capabilities. At home, he is encouraged to do things such as tidy up his toys or feed the dogs. Your diagnosis does not determine your identity. once you discover your support system, all other aspects will align accordingly." - Korye, Bennett's mother

After just one year of attending Sunshine School and receiving therapies, Bennett abilities flourish. He now can use utensils while eating and communicate when “all done”. He plays with greater intent now, and is more patient and focused. Bennett has blossomed into a social butterfly, gaining a best friend with his classmate Anton, their families even organizing play dates outside of school. 

“We are immensely grateful for Bennett’s entire team,” Bennett’s mother said. “His therapists – Krista, Haley, and Janet; His teachers – Larry, Jordan, Jocelyn, and Yesi; His ECDS - Teagan. Including Patricia in the kitchen, Andy with the buses, and Marjorie at the front desk. We cannot express enough gratitude to Sunshine School for investing in our Bennett.” 

Our teams’ ability to continue providing these life-changing services on Bennett’s journey is made possible because of you. Your support shines through each smile on the playground, success in therapy, lesson learned in class, and through each family’s hope for their child’s future. Bennett is just one of more than 120 children enrolled at Sunshine School each year, with a growing interest list as new families search for the hope and help they deserve.

As we look ahead, your generosity sustains our mission and helps us continue to open doors, celebrate milestones, and build brighter futures. Together, we can shatter limitations and make sure every person touched by disability has the chance to thrive.

Please join our 2025 End-of-Year Giving Campaign and help children like Bennett continue their unique journeys through advocacy, therapy, and education. Your gift, no matter the size, makes a lasting impact on the families who count on Sunshine School. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping us keep our Sunshine bright for those who need it most!

Sincerely,

Jarrod Reeves

Sunshine CEO

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