Many of you have asked how we use the money that we raise.  In short, we want to help other children like Reed and their families.  We:

• Fund scientific research examining the cause, diagnosis and treatment of special needs conditions.
• Recognize teachers and therapists who contribute significantly to the lives of special needs children.
• Pay educational expenses of students pursuing careers in special education.
• Help families of special needs children needing assistance with medical care, therapies, adaptive equipment, respite care, and recreation activities.

The Reed Henderson Memorial Fund has sponsored some amazing programs:

• Touch-A-Truck – For two years now, we've teamed up with the Professional Center for Child Development (our local Early Intervention provider). Touch-A-Truck gave kids a chance to encounter working trucks and vehicles up close in a sensory friendly environment.
• The Special Field Games – Each year we help sponsor a local sporting event for people with special needs that includes over a hundred athletes and dozens of events.
• Scientific Research on Special Needs Conditions – We make contributions to research conducted by Dr. Jeff Golden at Brigham and Women's Hospital.  He is studying the role of ARX gene mutation in brain development. ARX gene mutation was the underlying cause of Reed’s medical issues.
• Family Photo Sessions - We teamed up with Emily O’Brien Photography and the Professional Center to give family portrait sessions to families of children with medically complex needs.  These families often get so caught up in doctors appointments, treatments, and daily life that they don’t take the opportunity to capture the beauty of their family.  This event has special meaning to our family, as we never had a family portrait taken.
  
• Waterville Valley Resorts’ Adaptive Snowsports – Waterville Valley provides the opportunity for physically and mentally challenged children and adults to ski. Reed was fortunate enough to ski with their amazing team and enjoyed it immensely. We made a donation in his memory to ensure others experience the same joy.
• Parent's Night Out with Child Care – In partnership with the Professional Center, we established a program for parents of children with medically complex needs that brings together new and experienced parents to share their challenges, as well as the joy and humor they find in daily life.