Yoko Zeigler has been lucky to have friends and neighbors who have stepped in to provide opportunities for her son, Alex, to participate in community activities.  However, Yoko, just like any other parent with a disabled child, is afraid to grow old or die leaving Alex in an unsupported situation.  “Alex needs to have his own friends,” she said emphatically.  “And,” she added, “None of these people are connected with each other.  Safety and security will only happen if Alex’s friends are part of a formal network.”

Sandy Skaar, one of Designing Dreams founding members, recently participated in the weeklong training at PLAN in Canada.  “Being Alex’s first facilitator is a way for me to contribute to Designing Dreams,” Sandy said.  She will be documenting her steps to facilitate the process for future networks. 

Alex takes computer classes at TVI and works at Adelante’s shrink-wrap facility. He has a passion for video games and movies.  Sandy will be recruiting others who share Alex’s interests.  We look forward to sharing the progress of his network as it develops.

The mission of Designing Dreams is to create and maintain personal networks for people with disabilities, with a focus on a good life now and in the future.

The organization is a result of one mother’s nightmares about what would happen to her son if she should die.  She began to gather resources so that her nightmare that would not become a reality.  As a result of this, there is a program today that will help develop a network of committed people to provide companionship and support and assure that this is a lifetime commitment for the family member

For additional information on Designing Dreams simply call 881-1264 or 877-881-1264 or email