Dorothy Levy, founder of United Ability, passed away earlier this week at 107.

Beloved by many, for the past two years, Bham Now had the pleasure of covering Dorothy’s 106th and 107th birthday parties at United Ability’s LINCPoint.

Unconditional Love

Dorothy’s passing is deeply personal to me.

Watching the unconditional love expressed at each birthday party by all the folks at United Ability was unforgettable.

Dorothy’s dancing in her wheelchair.

The singing of the adults with disabilities and staff at LINCPoint.

Her blowing out the candles.

The most precious moment… when the United Ability adults, one by one, handed Dorothy handmade birthday cards, and once she had a pile in her lap, she embraced the cards – lovingly.

FullSizeRender 360 Beloved United Ability founder Dorothy Levy has passed away at 107 — Dorothy Levy helped found United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, which is now United Ability. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.

And of course, after receiving the gifts, she danced.

71 years ago

It was 71 years ago, in 1948, when Dorothy, Dr. John Simpson, Rabbi Milton Grafman, and other individuals who cared about the quality of life for people with Cerebral Palsy formed the Cerebral Palsy Center, or Spastic Aid of Alabama.

Screen Shot 2018 09 04 at 6.56.00 AM Beloved United Ability founder Dorothy Levy has passed away at 107 — Photograph of the original building that housed Spastic Aid, which is now United Ability. Photo courtesy of United Ability

Now called United Ability, the organization she helped found, provides innovative services connecting people with disabilities to their communities and empowering individuals to live full and meaningful lives.

Today, United Ability serves more than 5000 children and adults with disabilities, including but not limited to: intellectual disabilities; traumatic brain injury; developmental disabilities; cerebral palsy; autism; Down syndrome and spina bifida.

Still Dancing

At her 107th birthday party, Dorothy danced and danced with the adults with disabilities at United Ability. It was like she knew it was her last opportunity to celebrate and embrace them.

I can only imagine, wherever she is now, she is joyfully dancing and loving us all.