United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona Celebrates 15th Anniversary of the Laura Dozer Center
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona hosted a Celebrating the Seeds You Planted commemorative event in honor of Rich and Karie Dozer, who helped to establish the Laura Dozer Center fifteen years ago.
The Dozers helped to mobilize the community in building the center after their daughter Laura, who was born with cerebral palsy, was treated at the previous location.
The location focuses on meeting the needs of children and adults with disabilities and their families with a focus on being vibrant welcoming — not sterile or scary.
At the event, both Karie Dozer and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona’s director of development Katy Hansen spoke to the importance of the center.
“Karie and Rich, it is our great honor to celebrate Laura’s legacy,” said Hansen at the event. “Your vision and efforts have made an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of families with children and adults with disabilities and for that, we are forever grateful.”
Those using the center today also spoke, including Anna Del Giudice, a member of the adult program.
“I was diagnosed with CP as a little girl,” said Giudice. “When I was a teenager, my parents were still afraid that something would happen to me if I went out on my own.“My brother helped me find a program called the UCP Adult Program to become more independent. UCP has been helping me to reach my goals like money skills and computer skills.”
The event also honored Laura Grace Dozer, who passed away in 2008 from complications of lung disease.
