Seattle’s Child is proud to partner with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families Strengthening Families Washington to honor outstanding caregivers doing important work on behalf of children. Throughout February, we’ll introduce you to Unsung Heroes from around the state: biological parents, grandparents, foster and adoptive parents. Some volunteer at local schools; some have started nonprofits; some mentor others in their communities. Enjoy the stories of 2024’s unsung heroes.
NOTE: Seattle’s Child is running these stories unedited, as written by the people who nominated them, in keeping with the DCYF Unsung Hero process.
Demarie McCurdy, Puyallup
My wife, Demarie McCurdy, and I have twins who are now 13 years old. The twins, Norah and Colton, were born 16 weeks premature. As a result of his prematurity, Colton has multiple disabilities, including blindness and developmental disabilities. Colton has struggled in many areas, and Demarie had to quit her career as a social worker to care for Colton and to advocate for his needs full-time.
Demarie has built strong relationships with Colton’s teachers and service providers so that she can support them in meeting his medical, rehabilitative, and educational goals. Recently, state funding was cut and the annual summer camp for blind and visually impaired children was discontinued. Demarie raised funds and recruited educators to step up and fill in the gap and created a summer camp in Pierce County for blind and visually impaired children, called Camp Possible.
In her quest to find physical and speech therapy services that would better meet Colton’s needs, Demarie formed a relationship with Sundance Hippotherapy and enrolled Colton in therapy. Demarie was recently hired as the executive director to form a non-profit foundation to support Colton and children like him, raising funds to cover the costs of hippotherapy services that would otherwise be paid out of pocket. Demarie is not only an exceptional parent to Colton, but has worked tirelessly to advocate for children like him.
— Andy McCurdy
More Unsung Heroes:
Walking the talk of inclusivity
New foster parents navigating with love
