Singer to express her appreciation through a concert

By PAT PASTERNAK- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

When love sprouts wings, how far can it soar?

According to Rosanne Hargrave, the mother of a child with special needs, the sky is the limit.

Mrs. Hargrave, an accomplished soloist, will present a concert titled "Wings of Love" to benefit Catholic Charities Disabilities Services of Albany, Nov. 12, 3 p.m., at St. Margaret Mary's Church in Albany.

Mrs. Hargrave's daughter Alaina, who has been receiving services from the agency for the past four years, was born with Down's syndrome. To show her deep appreciation for the assistance, Mrs. Hargrave has dedicated her performance "to our daughter Alaina Rose and all those other individuals who, through CCDS, have come so far and been so greatly inspired to reach for the stars." Getting aid

Alaina spends approximately three hours per week with someone from Disabilities Services at her home. The branch of Catholic Charities offers both residential rehabilitation to Alaina and respite services to her family.

"I wanted to thank, in a very special way, all those who have worked with Alaina and our family," Mrs. Hargrave said. "The services they provide have helped us so much. Because of these wonderful people, Alaina is soaring in her development."

A third grader at Roessleville Elementary School in South Colonie, Alaina currently is taking swimming lessons and learning to type through an occupational therapy program that will enable her to do her schoolwork on the computer. According to her mother, hand-printing is laborious for her, so the computer helps her complete her classwork.

'Wonderful' people

The nine-year old now experiences a full curriculum of activities, play dates and school work, along with the rest of her class, and her mother believes that she has been given the opportunity to reach her highest potential.

"It is a wonderful organization," she said of Disabilities Services. "They provide social and educational opportunities for disabled individuals and their families who otherwise might not have access to what is available."

Families are often in shock when a child is born with a disability or special need, she explained; when they do not know where to turn for assistance, they feel isolated.

"Disabilities Services offers them an opportunity to get the support they need while allowing the family to maintain stability," Mrs. Hargrave noted. "It is an honor for me to perform this benefit and to repay them for all they have done for Alaina."

Mrs. Hargrave and her husband Al are also the parents of a "very active" five-year old son, Adam.

Sign and sing

For the final song of the concert, "Love in Any Language," Alaina will sign the words.

"Alaina learned to sign when she was one year old," Mrs. Hargrave said. "We have found signing to be a very effective way to decrease the frustration level in communicating with each other." Mrs. Hargrave indicated that her performance is a tribute to "some wonderful people who make a real difference. Their professionalism, commitment, caring and love are offered each day to our family and all of the families in their care, but, most especially, their clients with special needs. They have offered Alaina every opportunity to be as successful as she can be. They are very special people."

(Rosanne Hargrave, a choir member of St. Margaret Mary's Church for 15 years, will perform selections from Mozart, Donizetti and Puccini. Tickets are $10. All proceeds will go to the agency's Families in Need Fund, which supplies baby items, shelter and emergency assistance to families in extreme need. For advance tickets, contact Disabilities Services at 783-1111. Tickets will also be sold at the door.)

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