Join us us on April 15th from 10 am to 3 pm where the DMV will bring their services to YOU.

Please sign up to reserve your spot.

Questions? Contact Eileen Sheffer at eshaffer@thearcofloudoun.org

Register Here

A meet up where Moms [or Dads] can come with their toddlers ages 12 – 24 months, both with and without special needs, to meet with other Moms, grab a cup of coffee, their toddler’s play with each other, talk about whatever they like.

We understand it can be very isolating to be a Mom [or Dad] at home with a little one, and this is an opportunity to chat, complain, be with others who are facing similar challenges, be inspired, be supported and make new friends.

We meet every other Wednesday in ALLY Advocacy Center, building #625. Come enjoy toys for the toddlers, doughnuts and coffee for the adults, and a little old fashion “grandmotherliness” from Penny Lewis, Administrative Director of Open Door Learning Center.

Children learn Social Skills as early as infancy.  Toddlers need to be exposed to their peers to learn to  handle the give and take of sharing, being autonomous from their parents, being able to deal with new situations outside the home, emotional regulation etc.  Parents can enjoy a break from the isolation of the daily care of an infant or toddler, share techniques and strategies for dealing with the challenges of child rearing, such as bedtime woes, potty training, temper tantrums etc.  develop a support group, meet other Moms who might socialize outside the M and M. 

When: Every other Wednesday starting November 6, 2019 through February 26, 2020
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Where: ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center
Arc of Loudoun Campus
601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Bldg #625
Leesburg, VA 20176
Cost: $40 for 8 sessions

For more information, please contact Penny Lewis at plewis@thearcofloudoun.org or 703.777.6010 x251.

Shocktober Opens its Doors for Two Nights in FEARbruary!

LEESBURG, Virginia – February 4, 2019 – Shocktober’s Paxton Manor will open its doors for its fifth annual My Bloody Valentine event, two nights in February the weekend after Valentine’s Day: Friday the 15th and Saturday the 16^th! It is Shocktober in … FEARbruary, the Carvers are looking for dates for the Valentine’s Day Dance Massacre, a terrifying twist to your typical Valentine’s date! Doors open at 7pm and the last tickets are sold at 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
This year we have amazing community partnerships and sponsorships including our own BLOOD red wine, “My Bloody Valentine Wine,” that is locally produced by Tarara Winery in collaboration with Shocktober, on sale this FEARbruary at our My Bloody Valentine 2-night event. Shocktober merchandise is also available to purchase online and on site.
Dates: Friday, February 15th and Saturday, February 16th
Hours: Friday and Saturday: 7pm-10pm
Location: 601 Catoctin Circle, NE, Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Cost: Tickets are sold online at https://shocktober.org/ and at the door. ONLINE ONLY SPECIAL: $60 for 2 people “Couples Pass” for My Bloody Valentine at Paxton Manor; General Admission $35 (online only) $40 (at the door) for one person. Group discounts available online only.
Although known for its frightening PG-13 tours among thrill-seekers and locals, all proceeds from Shocktober’s My Bloody Valentine benefit The Arc of Loudoun, a non-profit organization that advocates for and provides direct service to children and adults with disabilities, as well as their families, caretakers, and the professionals who work with them through its many programs: The Aurora School, Open Door Learning Center Preschool, ALLY “A Life Like Yours” Advocacy Center, Aurora Behavior Clinic and Ability Fitness Center.
If you have a family member with special needs, want to volunteer, attend our events, or support The Arc of Loudoun, visit www.thearcofloudoun.org .

Stroke Recovery 

Ability Fitness Center, located at The Arc of Loudoun in Northern Virginia, serves stroke survivors and people living with physical disabilities. At Ability Fitness Center, stroke survivors can exercise, develop skills to practice daily activities, and create friendships with others who may have similar disabilities. 
The main goal at Ability Fitness Center is for each stroke survivor (or people living with other physical disabilities) to improve their quality of life and reach their maximum potential. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Specialized Equipment 

Our specialized equipment is created for people living with physical disabilities. 

• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Bike – enables clients with very little muscle control to exercise using pulses of electrical current to stimulate their nerves 
• NuStep – has an inclusive design and specialized adaptive equipment, making total-body strength and cardio work-outs possible for virtually any user, including many who use a wheelchair 
• Lite Gait – allows client to comfortably walk in an environment free from falls, and also allows clients to learn to walk with proper upright posture
• Easy Stand Glider – active standing provides lower body range of motion and upper body strengthening. Users move the handles with their arms (or a caregiver can assist) which creates a reciprocal movement in the legs. The full range seat  allows full leg extension while standing.
• Learn about all of our equipment here. 

Testimonials

Meet Tony, a stroke survivor

“Back in August of 2016 I suffered a severe stroke. Doctors told me it was 9.5 out of 10. It was very severe. I came to Ability Fitness Center (AFC) for my recovery. One thing I noticed, I lost quality of life when I had a stroke. And AFC definitely improves quality of life. 
When I first came to AFC, I was able to walk, but my walking form was not very good at all. Endurance was five minutes being able to stand, right now I’m standing for one hour. Now, my gait and posture has improved a lot. Before, I could only walk about ten feet before passing out, and now I’m able to walk about half an hour. It’s just been amazing. My speed has gotten to a point now, where I can almost walk a normal speed.
The progress I’ve made here has been tremendous. I would not be doing the things I’m doing now without AFC. I know that for a fact. I recommend Ability Fitness Center to anybody.” 
 

Meet Debbie, a stroke survivor

Debbi suffered from a stroke 15 years ago and has been a member of Ability Fitness Center (AFC) since January 2018. Debbi loves attending AFC several times a week, where she uses a majority of the equipment. She says, “After only going to AFC for a couple of months, I’ve already seen such a difference in myself, which is is amazing! Even my 14 year old daughter has complimented the improvement in my walking! If I can get my teenager to notice you know I’m making real improvements!”
Learn more about Ability Fitness center here. 

Contact us:

Email: hparker@thearcofloudoun.org
Phone: 571.439.1520
Fax: 703.777.1935