To my OPT families, business associates, and colleagues in the therapeutic community, I am announcing my retirement from Outreach Pediatric Therapy effective January 1, 2010. Many of you may ask "why...?"

Outreach Pediatric Therapy began with a vision based on my own experiences of parenting a child with special needs. Through hard work and diligence, the vision of OPT became a reality. Through this process I have grown alongside my daughter Julia, as we have walked this path together. My goals and objectives have always been directly tied toward her needs and it is hard to believe she is now transitioning into the world of adulthood. She will be turning 22 years old in December and our journey together will now take a different turn. In addition to much needed rest, I will be volunteering some time with RMI to assist in the ongoing development of their adult day program/workshop. Also, I have always had a personal goal to write a book about my experiences parenting a child with special needs, so I am finally going to begin the process in the Spring of 2010.

I have learned so much from my peers, other professionals, patients and their families, and would like to take this opportunity to say "Thank you". As I depart OPT, my hope is that I have given back what I set out to give, and words can never express how appreciative I am to those that have been a part of the journey.

Barbara Harr,OTR