Now more than ever, our children need angels. As more families cope with tough times — dwindling incomes, financial insecurity, and even unemployment and homelessness — they come to rely like never before on the selfless work of others. It’s times like these when the kindness of strangers — a compassionate doctor, an inspiring mentor, an unshakable advocate — can mean so much. It can mean the difference between hope and despair; sometimes even life and death. Here are 14 of those “selfless strangers” — 14 who stick their necks out for families, pushing tirelessly against the tides of poverty, sickness and sorrow. They lift us all up by lifting the most vulnerable among us. Behold, our 2009 Superheroes for Washington Families! http://www.parentmap.com/content/view/1235/275/ —Kristen Russell Dobson THE CHAMPION
Larry Davis  For more than 10 years, Port Orchard’s Larry Davis has been helping parents of children with special needs navigate what he calls “the special-education maze” in public schools. Davis recently began bringing his message — championing the needs of special children — to the airwaves, with a 60-minute talk radio show on KKNW 1150 AM (visit Special Education Advocacy for more). “Every child is a blessing, a gift waiting to unfold,” Davis says. “No matter how inconvenient their actions and behavior may be, today’s children require imaginative education planning, innovative resource development and consistent classroom management like never before.” Davis brings 25 years of experience and a background in education, administration and mediation to the process of advocating for children with special needs. Ronnie Thibault has worked with Davis on meeting the needs of the developmentally disabled, including her own son, who has Asperger syndrome. “What I love most about Larry is his nonstop, tireless dedication to the special-needs population and their families,” she says. “His knowledge base is way beyond most who work in his field, and he knows how to negotiate the systems and make them work for each family and their educators. “Larry is a rare gem who totally gets it — and has an uncanny ability to bring everyone together in the interest of the children.” — K.F.M |