Marklund (not-for-profit) - History

History

In 1954, pediatrician Mary Ellen Reddy, M.D., asked Claire Haverkampf, R.N., to provide foster care for a 5-day-old infant named Mark William Lund who had Down Syndrome and severe cardiac complications. On Christmas Day, Claire and her husband, Stan, agreed to accept the baby into their home and give him the best care they could.

Over the years, the Haverkampf family grew as the couple cared for more children with developmental disabilities. Their decision to take on children with special needs fulfilled their belief that the able-bodied are bound – and privileged – to care for those who cannot care for themselves.

Eventually, the Haverkampf’s Northlake, Illinois house became too small for the growing family, and they moved to a larger home in Bloomingdale, Illinois, known today as the Marklund Philip Center for Children. Over the next fifty years, Marklund has grown into a not-for-profit network of homes, day centers and programs that are designed to serve individuals with profound disabilities. To date, that network has provided care for more than 1,700 infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Read more about this topic:  Marklund (not-for-profit)

Famous quotes containing the word history:

    The greatest honor history can bestow is that of peacemaker.
    Richard M. Nixon (1913–1995)

    The history of all countries shows that the working class exclusively by its own effort is able to develop only trade-union consciousness.
    Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (1870–1924)

    It is remarkable how closely the history of the apple tree is connected with that of man.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)