During the past six years, I have met families from every state and several foreign countries ~ ~ all touched by autism ~ ~ and each one touching my heart. We share stories about their accomplishments and their dreams. I know I am making a difference and I am extremely grateful. My foremost goal is to helping my daughter open Harmony Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Concord, NH for all children with disabilities ~ my profits from this business go to her 501C3 non-profit.  ~~~ Cindy Addario

ABOUT US …..

We are a strong family who supports a little girl too cute to have been given this diagnosis.

Emma has a loving single mother, Joyce (my daughter) who is actively involved with “anything autism” from starting a support group, developing an extensive lending library, joining state foundations, a local disability council and has graduated in the masters program from Plymouth State University (NH) in special education.  We are in the process of opening Harmony Acres Therapeutic Riding Center … a place where a person of any disability can ride and enjoy the gifts of a farm setting. We recently purchased our first horse, Dually, an American Quarterhorse who is very gentle and patient with his riders. 

Emma has a little brother, Ethan, who tries so hard to be her play friend, a difficult accomplishment on some days, but he never stops trying and takes great pride in the smallest accomplishments. He tries to help her with her speech and understands her needs and often ends up speaking for her. 

Emma has a very involved set of grand parents … Grammie (me) and Grampie (my husband). We provide a safe place for Emma outside her home and school. She learned to swim at Grammie’s and Grampie’s house! Grampie and Emma share a wonderful father/daughter relationship with a deep affection and understanding. 

Emma has an involved great-grandfather, Grampa, who just happens to live next door and at 91 he is very happy to share his days with both Emma and Ethan. They have become his daily dosage of the very best kind of medicine available! 

This past school year Emma has been in the second grade at public school with a wonderful team of loving experts. Her teacher, Mrs. Howe, has fallen in love with Emma along with Kim and Wendy her para-professionals and Bill White, her behaviorist.  

Emma has a loving great aunt and great uncle ~ ~ Aunt Rita and Uncle Dave. Dave retired from Chrysler in 2004. They relocated to the Villages in Florida from Michigan. Rita, an administrative assistant for a manufacturer’s rep. group, is one of the most creative and talented persons we know! She has taken on the southern division of Stitches4Autism in the capacity of creative designer in the new products division. They both love being a part of the circle of LOVE surrounding Emma. Rita has designed many new and “hot” items for us and Dave’s ingenuity has made her projects come out successfully ~ they are a great working couple!

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     Joyce, Cindy, Stacey

On May 7, 2005, I was awarded the first ever "Volunteer of the Year 2004" from the Autism Society of New Hampshire. The plaque read to Cindy Addario "for her selfless gift of time, effort and expertise" Shown in the photo, left to right, are Joyce Johnson (my daughter), me and Stacy Shannon, president of the Autism Society of New Hampshire. This was a complete surprise and honor for me.  Thank you for your interest.   ~~  Cindy Addario