Why Special Kids Matters to Us
Three MMC Team Members share how Special Kids has made a difference in their lives and the lives of those they love.
The Henn Family
For the Henn family, the journey to recovery has been marked by strength, perseverance, and the steady support of family, friends, and Special Kids.
Carolyn Henn, a Nurse Practitioner with MMC Dermatology and Mohs Surgery, and her husband Dave are the proud parents of two daughters, Violet and Marcie. Long before Special Kids became part of their family’s story in a deeply personal way, Carolyn had her own connection to the organization: she was part of the Special Kids team, working with kids just like Marcie.
When Marcie was born with a heart defect, their family quickly became familiar with hospitals, specialists, and the emotional weight that comes with caring for a child with complex medical needs.
At just three years old, Marcie experienced a serious complication during open heart surgery and suffered a stroke. What followed was a long and challenging recovery. After completing inpatient rehabilitation in Atlanta, Marcie returned home ready to continue the hard work of healing.
Through it all, Marcie showed incredible determination. With the help of outpatient physical therapy at Special Kids, she continued rebuilding strength and mobility step by step. During this season, Dave became a stay-at-home parent, dedicating his days to caring for Marcie and ensuring she could get to the appointments and therapies she needed.
The Henn family is deeply grateful for the team at Special Kids who walked alongside them through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives. The therapists who encouraged Marcie, celebrated her progress, and believed in her abilities made a lasting difference.
Today, “Marvelous Marcie” has officially graduated from physical therapy, and her family could not be prouder. Her journey reflects her resilience, her family’s constant support, and the compassionate care that helped her keep moving forward.
And if you ask her parents, they will tell you with a smile: there is no stopping her now.
The Meeks-Jennings Family
For Special Kids Therapy & Nursing Center, care is more than a service. It is a relationship, a support system, and often, an extension of family. That is exactly what the Meeks-Jennings family has experienced.
Hayli Meeks, a Nurse Tech with MMC’s Comprehensive ENT Specialists, first connected with Special Kids long before she became a mom. As a high school student, she worked with the organization, never imagining just how deeply personal that connection would one day become.
When Hayli’s daughter Salem was born with Down syndrome, the need for specialized support became part of daily life. Salem has required both nursing and therapy services, and Special Kids has been there every step of the way.
“Knowing the people who care for your child truly love them makes all the difference,” Hayli shares. “They don’t just provide therapy. They celebrate her milestones, encourage her growth, and treat her like their own.”
Salem’s dad, Teion Jennings, echoes that gratitude. For their family, Special Kids has been more than a provider. It has been a steady source of encouragement, expertise, and compassion through every stage of Salem’s journey.
Today, Salem is thriving. Her progress reflects not only her determination, but also the team of therapists and nurses who have walked alongside her family with patience and heart.
For the Meeks-Jennings family, Special Kids is not just an organization in the community. It is a place that helped their daughter grow stronger, helped them feel supported as parents, and continues to remind them they are never walking this road alone.
For Hayli, being part of MMC while watching her own child receive care from Special Kids brings her story full circle. She is grateful to be a part of an organization that gives back to the place that has done so much for her family. Hayli, Teion, and Salem invite everyone to join them to Run, Walk, or Roll at the Special Kids race.
The Burns Family
For the Burns family, Special Kids Therapy & Nursing Center became a source of hope during a season filled with uncertainty.
Mike Burns, a Maintenance Tech at MMC, remembers when it was first noted that his daughter Chloe was missing some developmental milestones. Like many parents, the questions and concerns came quickly, along with the desire to find the best possible support for their child.
Chloe began receiving therapy services at Special Kids when she was just three years old. What followed was a long but meaningful journey that included five years of occupational therapy and thirteen years of physical therapy. With the support of her therapists and care team, Chloe steadily built strength, skills, and confidence, reaching milestone after milestone along the way.
At the time, Mike was self-employed and the family did not have insurance. Special Kids provided not only expert care, but also options that made services accessible for families like theirs. That support lifted a tremendous weight and allowed them to focus on what mattered most: helping Chloe grow.
The Burns family remains deeply grateful that Special Kids was there when they needed it most.
Today, Chloe is exceptional. In a beautiful full-circle moment, she now serves as the Investor Relations Specialist at Special Kids, where she shares her story and helps ensure other families in our community can receive the same life-changing support she once did.
For the Burns family, Special Kids was not just a therapy provider. It was a partner in their daughter’s journey and is now part of her life’s purpose.
