Meet Abigail!

May 14, 2026

Do you remember the feeling when you first started high school? You could have felt nervous about finding out where your classes were or about meeting new classmates for the first time. Or you could have been excited at the prospect of starting something new and finding more opportunities to grow into the person God had always intended you to be.

We want to introduce you to Abigail, a current Elim student navigating her first year of high school at Elim. And while our school structures may look different, Abigail is still learning and growing in her own way – just like you once did.

Born with cerebral palsy, Abigail requires a one-on-one nurse to ensure her safety, and early on, doctors told her family not to expect much. But she has consistently proven them wrong.

Abigail and her family have been part of the Elim community for the past five years, after transferring from a school district that was not meeting her needs. Just like any other high school student, Abigail has a full, hands-on schedule with classes like math, science, art, and more.

Because of generous donors like you, Elim can provide these programs and specialized services so students like Abigail can experience school in meaningful ways alongside their peers. This support means the world to Abigail’s family.

“I love the different classes she attends in school,” Amy, Abigail’s mother, says. “It’s just like a normal school schedule that any other student in the world would experience. She is not missing out!”

For the past few years, she has been using an eye-gazing communication device, a powerful piece of technology that has given voice to those who cannot directly express their wants and needs. At first, she struggled to use it. But now, her communication skills have improved tremendously.

“Her communication in expressing needs, wants, and even opinions has grown even more since the start of this school year,” Kim, Abigail’s teacher, tells us. “During my lessons, when she uses her eye-gaze device to say, ‘I like this’, it makes my teacher’s heart very happy!”

“I know she is not going to have a completely normal life because she’s very limited. But I want her to be herself. And if she wants to do something, I want to make sure she can do it,” Amy shares. “I’m thankful for Elim for making my Abigail girl better. She has changed so much; she is a happy, talkative girl, and a lot of it has to do with Elim. I want people to read her story and feel happy too.”

Abigail’s growth reflects what’s possible when students are given the support they deserve. Your gift helps ensure every student is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to grow into who God created them to be.

Because of your generosity, our students receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?