Where others might see a problem, Susan Whitelaw simply sees a need. She has been seeing that need, and helping to help meet it, for the last 30 years as a volunteer for The Arc of Caddo-Bossier.

Whitelaw's association with The Arc began soon after her son, Travis, was born. Travis was diagnosed as developmentally disabled while still a baby. Whitelaw discovered The Arc and how the organization could help her understand and meet the needs of her son, so she entered him in its children's program.

Soon after, The Arc discovered that Whitelaw could help them meet their own needs.

Whitelaw volunteered as a classroom assistant in the Arc's Goldman School. She joined the PTA, serving as president, then turned her attention to the board of directors of the The Arc of Caddo-Bossier. She went on to serve on the board of The Arc of the United States, to everything in between. If it seems like a lot, Whitelaw wouldn't agree.

"They think I've done something for them," she said. "It doesn't compare with what The Arc family has done for my family."

What The Arc family has done for her family, she said, is help them take care of Travis since he was a baby. When he reached school age, Travis started The Arc's Goldman School for disabled children. As Travis progressed through his school years, Whitelaw progressed through the volunteer ranks.

She started as a classroom assistant, eventually supplementing that by serving as president of the Goldman School's PTA. From there, Whitelaw became involved with the board of directors for The Arc of Shreveport-Bossier. She has served the board as treasurer, the position she currently holds, and as president, vice president and secretary.

After Travis finished his education, he moved into an Arc-sponsored home where he lives today. His future is assured, Whitelaw said.

Whitelaw draws on her special skills as a CPA in her advocacy for The Arc. She also holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Louisiana State University.

"She donates her considerable professional gifts as a CPA to us continually," said Janet Parker, executive director of The Arc of Caddo-Bossier.

The Arc serves not just the developmentally disabled, Whitelaw noted, but also children and adults with autism, cerebral palsy, blindness and deafness.

"The challenges of the people we serve can be so immense," she said. "(The Arc) has made a difference in so many people's lives. I've seen it in so many families."

Whitelaw is particularly fond of a new horseback riding program The Arc has started called GREAT, which stands for Great Results Equine Assisted Therapies.

"It's something that even a person with a disability can do," she said. "They can have the most profound disability, but their faces light up."

Even if her son no longer needed help, "I would probably participate anyway," she said.

"I have teased her that when it comes to The Arc (she) is our own Ado Annie from 'Oklahoma!,'" said Parker. "She cain't say no.'"

The Times
September 28, 2008