ɫ�����Ƶ

Brave Hearts: Nurturing Opportunities and Aspirations for Hope is an inclusive, fun, and educational event for children with special needs (up to age 18) and their caregivers. In partnership with the American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD), Special Olympics Arizona, and Delta Dental, ɫ�����Ƶ (MWU) faculty and students will provide:

• Interactive workshops: Participants can engage in sessions tailored to the unique needs and interests of children with disabilities, focusing on sensory activities, creative expression, and skill building.
• Health screenings: Patients with disabilities can receive dental, foot, oral/swallowing, vital signs, and physical fitness screenings to evaluate and accommodate their specific needs, challenges, and conditions.
• Adaptive sports demonstrations: Student healthcare professionals and staff will introduce adaptive sports and games that promote physical activity and teamwork.
• Resource fair: Attendees will learn about support services and resources for families who may need help dealing with issues such as medication management, motor skills, mental health literacy, picky eating, and epilepsy/seizures.
• Sensory-friendly environment: Midwestern will provide a safe and accommodating setting with sensory-friendly spaces designed to ensure comfort for all attendees.

Promoting the One Health Initiative, nine MWU programs will be involved at this interdisciplinary event, including:

• Dental Medicine
• Podiatric Medicine
• Nurse Anesthesia
• Physician Assistant Studies
• Speech-language Pathology

Brave Hearts co-founder, Midwestern student Miriam Villa (College of Dental Medicine-Arizona, ’27), explains the impact she hopes this event will have: “We hope that the community realizes that MWU is a home to the community. We’re a place where people feel safe, belong, get resources, and feel connected,” she says. “For this event, students, faculty, and providers are all coming together to help the community realize that MWU is a direct bridge for them.”

Knowing first-hand what it’s like to be a parent to a child with disabilities, Miriam organized this event to provide critical resources and connections for caregivers and parents of children with special needs. “A big thing we try to focus on is how we can give parents and caregivers support and create a bond between healthcare providers and parents, so they know they’re not alone,” Miriam continues. “There’s no handbook on how to be a parent with a special needs child, so we want to empower them.”