Lindsey came to live with the Overlies when she was just 12 days old, a beautiful and welcome child, but it soon became evident that she had inherited cerebral palsy from her birth mother. She was admitted to the Guild School (now JOYA) when she was just 18 months old to begin therapy. This was in 1991, and there was “little information out there” about cerebral palsy and other birth disabilities. It was frustrating.

When Lindsey was six, she became the youngest participant in Spokane’s Special Olympics. It became obvious to Bonnie’s husband Earl that most of the direction was from the west side, so he volunteered to organize the eastern track meet the following year. The Overlies became heavily involved in the Special Olympics, and formed helpful relationships with many of the parents. When Lindsey started kindergarten in Spokane, Bonnie began acting as an advocate for other parents with special needs children. She knew what they were going through and knew the answers to many of their questions. And because many parents also had special needs, it was easy for them to be dismissed. So she would go with them to parent conferences and help them understand their rights and translate what both sides were saying.

Bonnie continued to educate herself, and for many years, she worked to establish a non-profit center in Cheney for adults with disabilities, but circumstances and reluctant landlords prevented this. But from 2016 to 2020 she taught classes at the Wren Pierson Community Center for adults with disabilities. “It was so joyful,” she said. “There were games, art projects, socialization, community skills.” She’s currently a board member on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board which advises the county commissioners on the needs and priorities for services for this population. She continues to help educate parents on the tools and help that is available for them. For example, through the Washington State Department of Development Disabilities (DDD), families are offered various kinds of assistance, called waivers. One of these waivers allows Lindsey to access “Supported Living.” During the past year, she has lived with two other women in a home near her family.

“Lindsey is one of the best things that ever happened to us,” Bonnie said. “She changed our lives. She broadened our horizon. She made us much more compassionate people.”