Student Stories
Let’s give a big CHEER to our Coalinga programs
Big things are happening in the quiet, rural town of Coalinga on the west side of Fresno County, which is home to United Cerebral Palsy Central California’s CHEERS and CHEERS to You programs for adults with disabilities. There, students are learning life skills, like how to manage their money and purchase popcorn for Friday movies…
June 8, 2021
What UCPCC looks like today in the midst of pandemic
For most of us, it’s been seven months of asking “What’s next?” But for United Cerebral Palsy Central California, it’s been seven months of transition. It’s true that none of us could imagine that, for the most part, UCPCC would still be closed to in-person services at its sites in Fresno and Kings counties so…
October 12, 2020
UCPCC student loses more than 300 pounds – and wins hearts doing it
Cameron Beckett is your average 24-year-old man. He enjoys playing “WWE 2K20” on his Xbox One. He loves his fiancée, Brittany. And he talks to his mom on the phone almost daily. But in 2015, Beckett, who was 525 pounds, was fighting for his life in a Fresno hospital. Flash forward to 2020: Beckett, now…
August 4, 2020
UCPCC staff brings the party to students’ doorsteps
The UCPCC party bus is a celebration on wheels. UCPCC staff decorate the windows, blow up balloons and take off to the homes of students from our adult programs to cheer and dance with them while celebrating their birthdays.
July 7, 2020
Testimonials
“My sister has been a UCP student for 15 years. In the beginning she was very insecure and uncomfortable with her surroundings. Over the years Patty has utilized a lot of the programs offered, several of which have help her become a great deal more independent … free thinking and has really brought out her creative tendencies in art and singing.
She has consistently grown each year … and has emerged a very happy student and wife to her husband Michael.”
-Rick Leon
Brother to Patty Fields
“In the beginning… with our daughter Victoria, we had no idea what to do or how to find help for her. UCP was recommended to us … but we didn’t know how to move forward… but they did! They provided us with many, many one-on-one sessions …particularly from the time she was 1 to 3 years old; really important stuff … they help her learn how to sit .. walk … feed herself and continue to provide help. Victoria is 7 now and is a very, very friendly, loving and outgoing child!”
-Sergio & Dora Ramirez
Parents of Victoria Ramirez
“UCP has been a part of our family since 1986 when I joined UCP teaching art to UCP students. They’re used to have a ‘mentoring program’ which provided an opportunity to bring a student into a home and become part of a family. Joe, my husband of 40 years and amazingly supportive of the idea embraced the idea and we ended up not taking in one student but … 2 fun, amazing a creative students – Jack Spinetta and Judy Tolley. Over the years Jack learned to paint with his hands rather than his mouth and Judy amazes Joe and I every day with her love of color and bubbly personality. They are totally part of our family!”
-Joe & Diana Salinas
Extended Student Family:
Judy Tolley & Jack Spinetta
“No one expects their child to be ‘special’… UCP helped us understand who our daughter Penny is and…more importantly, what she could be. They helped us set goals… with reasonable expectations for our family…and for her.
UCP set small goals … and together she grew one step at a time. They provided us with the help from people we needed, therapists and teachers, incredibly patient and emotionally supportive people.”
-Evan & Amanda Saltray
Parents of Penny Saltray