Board President's Reflections

My name is Cindy Bay-Wall and I have been a member of the Board of Directors for 6 years and currently serve as President.My connection with CFEC began when I was 4 years old, although I didn’t realize it then. It was a Sunday morning, my sister, Nancy was sitting in her high chair and we were eating breakfast. All of a sudden, she had her first epileptic seizure.It was scary. Doc Rich came to the house, Nancy went into the hospital and she was there for a couple of weeks.  That day many things changed for our family.Nancy was a “typical” child from birth to two years of age. The seizures resulted in physical, emotional and developmental challenges for Nancy.  We shared a bedroom for many years and Nancy is my connection to CFEC.Thankfully, St. Mary’s Special School was there to support my parents and provide Nancy with what she needed to become her best self.  Nancy lived at home until she was 33 when she moved into an assisted living community where she is still living today.In 2008, I moved to Winston-Salem to work for Krispy Kreme.  Our United Way Kick-off meeting was held at CFEC that year. I’d bought a house within a mile of CFEC, had seen the sign at Coliseum and Reynolda often, but never really knew what CFEC was.  Not until that day.  We took a tour and saw what amazing things CFEC was doing for the children and their families.That day I realized I too could and should get involved.  I decided I would support and find ways to help CFEC help the children and the families they serve.  I am passionate about the CFEC.   I believe in our mission - to educate, nurture and support children with special needs to reach their highest potential intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. I feel fortunate that I am in a position to be able to give financial support to this wonderful organization.   It has been important to my husband Earl and me to do what we can to see that CFEC keeps going for many decades to come.