CHILDREN thrive through play and exploration

For Sally Youn, getting the care her son needs is like building an intricate jigsaw puzzle.

 Nathan, now 6, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder at 2. Along with sensory processing issues, Nathan is largely non-verbal, has a common autism-related eating disorder, wears diapers and is at a greater risk of wandering away.

 “Any of these things would seem to disqualify Nathan from traditional childcare programs. But Greater Midland has been up for the challenge,” said Sally, who enrolled Nathan in childcare last fall at Longview Early Childhood Center, 337 Lemke St.

 Greater Midland opened its newest Early Care & Education Center at Longview Early Childhood Center last summer, offering full- and half-day care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

 The special needs childcare program is a perfect fit for Nathan, who attends morning special education preschool in the same building. Our Greater Midland team works with Nathan’s parents, preschool teacher and therapists to determine how to best meet his needs.

“All of our childcare programs provide a safe, nurturing environment that encourage every child to grow and learn through play and exploration,” said Andrea Secrease, Greater Midland’s director of childcare & early education.

In addition to childcare, Greater Midland offers preschool at its Community Center, North Family Center, Coleman Family Center locations.

The programs are making a difference: 96.8% of children enrolled in Greater Midland programs are meeting their developmental milestones, according to a recent survey.

And it’s making a difference for Nathan.

 “Because we have Greater Midland as a partner, Nathan has a very stimulating and rewarding school day,” Sally said. “He’s actually made friends and is so happy that he doesn’t want to leave at the end of the day. It’s just amazing.”

Caty McNally Caps Off Career Week With 2019 Dow Tennis Classic Singles Title

MIDLAND, Michigan, February 3, 2019 – She was given a wild card spot into the main draw and was drawn into the toughest road to the singles finals of any competitor in the event.  She’s only 17 and had just one professional singles title before this week.  On paper, everything was stacked against Caty McNally this week in the Dow Tennis Classic (DTC). 
 
Good thing tennis isn’t played on paper.
 
Even in Sunday’s final after the 17-year-old Cincinnati native took the first set 6-2 and jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set she was still battling through adversity.  Pegula broke McNally and was able to bring the set back to 5-4.
 
“It got a little tight,” said McNally of the second set, “but I tried to just go back to my routines and remember to play my game, and I think I did that – especially on the last point – really well.”
 
No stranger to the pressure, McNally closed out the match in the ensuing game to win 6-2, 6-4.
 
If there was any doubt of Caty McNally’s ability to overcome adversity coming into this weekend it surely doesn’t exist anymore.  McNally battled each day, playing some of the best tennis of her career, as she continues to move further along in her young career.
 
“I had some of the biggest wins of my career here,” noted McNally, “It just kind of shows that my game is at that level and it just gives me more confidence for the rest of the tournaments.”
 
While she hopes to take home many more trophies in her career, at least for the time being this one will be front and center in her trophy case as McNally says her 2019 DTC singles trophy will be placed somewhere that it will be the first thing she sees each morning when she wakes up.
 
If this week’s results have anything to show for her future, McNally – who says she will take the next couple of days to watch some football and celebrate with her family – is very quickly becoming a force to reckoned with in the tennis world.