Stories of Progress

Cherishing hope and healing

Raising a loved one with special needs isn’t easy. Being part of a supportive Christian Science community helps foster healing and encouragement!

CherishAbility is blessed to share these stories and expressions of gratitude, hope and healing with you. They convey the impact and benefits of our mission better than we could ourselves.

Current Story

Peter working as a cashier

A story of blossoming and healing

—Peter Phillips

Peter Phillips’ journey toward independence launched with a lot of prayer—and an assist from CherishAbility’s Vocational Training Program. The skills he learned as a trainee in 2022 have opened the doors to meaningful employment and loving friendships today. 

Peter’s journey beautifully illustrates how “God expresses in man the infinite idea forever developing itself, broadening and rising higher and higher from a boundless basis.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 258)

Expressing the infinite idea
Peter grew up with his older siblings, Jacob and Sarah, in Lake Bluff, Ill., San Jose, Calif. and now lives in Ballwin, Mo. Throughout his school experience, his parents, Carl and Brenda, navigated special education, Individualized Education Plans, and an array of practical resources to help Peter learn and grow. When he turned 18, the services provided for school-aged learners ended, leaving a gap in activities for a young man who is very active and loves to be with people. Brenda was at a loss. She happened to check her inbox and found an email from CherishAbility calling for applicants for its Vocational Training Program. Peter applied and was hired.

More Inspiring Stories

  • Joyfully defying expectations

    Karen speaks about her daughter Jennifer

  • Flourishing in the atmosphere of Love

    About Cindy Pritchard and her sister, Liz Murray.

  • Dad and two kids at Baxter Peak1

    Choosing the path ‘most needed’

    A conversation with Rick Lipsey

  • Mom and daughter eating s'mores in an outdoor setting

    Love leads the way

    A conversation with Dee Huntington

  • Boy seated on windsurfer holding paddle up in the air.

    Letting God be the perfect parent

    A conversation with Kit Kurtz and Roya Sabri

  • Close up of mother and son in red/white shirt

    Seeing perfection instead of disability

    A conversation with Judith Cordray

  • Girl with dark hair in purple shirt looking off to one side

    Healing answers are there

    A conversation with Deborah Calloway

  • Boy with dark hair and arms raised with a blue football shirt on

    Hayden finds his true voice

    By Shannon Freedman

  • Girl smiling with dark hair partially pulled back and and dark sweater on.

    Horse-riding injury healed quickly

    A testimony by Karen Barrett

  • Mother and daughter with jackets on and standing at an overlook

    CherishAbility is a life saver!

    A conversation with Sandy Hallet

  • Girl climbing up high using a netting in a ropes course

    Everlasting arms of Love

    A testimony

  • Father daughter looking at each other and smiling

    Why CherishAbility is important

    A conversation with board member Chris Cheney

  • Man with black/white checked shirt and glasses looking down at what he's doing.

    A life-changing family camp experience

    Letter from a grateful family member

  • Girl in purple jacket and older boy making a sign with their hands and smiling

    Joined in seeing God's perfect child

    Testimonial by Julie Finnin Day

  • Boy paddling in a red and yellow kayak on a river

    Living beyond labels

    Matthew’s story, by Sandy Eggleston

  • Three people in front of an indoor climbing wall

    'Christian Science has always been my lifeline'

    A conversation with Emily Canales

  • Group os people helping one boy learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.

    All in for 'Team John'

    A letter of gratitude from Marilyn Casanave

  • Boy in a red cap and girl standing and smiling at the airport

    Love reflected in love

    Letter from a family camp staff member

“We are so grateful for the support of the practitioner in helping correct our view of our son. With every correct thought, false beliefs are melting away. We are grateful for every step of spiritual progress, unveiling the perfection that is already there. Thank you for this support!”

— CherishAbility parent