Living
Creating pathways to opportunity with disabilities
Published 1953 GMT (0353 HKT) November 29, 2016
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Top 10 CNN Hero of 2016 Jeison Aristizábal's nonprofit ASODISVALLE operates a school and a facility that provides special education, medical services and nutritious meals for more than 1,000 young people with disabilities in Cali, Colombia. The school also welcomes students who are not disabled but want a quality education, such as the class pictured here. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Aristizábal started the project 15 years ago out of his parents' garage. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
He knew families like his own needed help. "When I was a young boy, a doctor told my mom that I would amount to nothing," said Aristizábal, who grew up in one of the poorest areas in Cali. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Aristizábal's family gave him support, and now he's working to complete law school, but others aren't so lucky. "Many families ... are misinformed. They think that it's God's punishment," he said. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
ASODISVALLE (an acronym that translates to Association of Disabled People of the Valley) serves clients who live with a range of complex disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
ASODISVALLE has helped transform the lives of more than 1,000 young people and their families --- free of charge. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Aristizábal wants to redefine "disabled" for the public and for parents. "Sometimes families are the first ones to get in the way of their kid's progress. So we work with them and strive for them to be the main engine to move their kids forward," he said. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Gaining some measure of independence is a big goal for many clients at ASODISVALLE. Training can involve physical and occupational therapy. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Children attend classes at ASODISVALLE. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
"Every day there is someone waiting for our help," Aristizábal said. "I have made an effort for many people to be able to study, have a family, go for a walk, have fun, move forward, and most importantly, to dream." JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
Aristizábal visits Celeste, one of the students who attends classes at ASODISVALLE, in her house in the neighborhood Sardi. JUAN ARREDONDO For CNN
