Our success of 45 years has been built on the vision and courage of our leadership, the talent and dedication of our extraordinary staff; and the unfailing generous support of our benefactors, donors and volunteers. But it all grew from a single act of kindness. In 1962, David Rice, a successful Miami executive, read a news report about a child with disabilities who was dumped at the Miami airport.
He wanted to help, but the existing options were bleak. Prior to 1965, the prevailing philosophy regarding care for people with disabilities was institutionalization in very large, state-run facilities. Right about that time, the “Willowbrook scandal” broke. Nationally broadcast, shocking scenes of neglect and abuse of people with disabilities caused a reexamination and subsequent rejection of institutionalization.
David Rice decided to find a better way. He and his friend, George Spelios, got together with concerned parents, caring neighbors, generous business associates and a small core of innovative professionals, and assumed operational control of the Exceptional Children’s Home on the site of what is now our outstanding 120-person facility in Miami, Florida.