The odds were greatly stacked against tiny Grady Richardson at birth.

The now 2½-year-old from Sheffield was born at 24 weeks, a micro-preemie.

He had a brain bleed affecting the right side of his body. His parents, Sydney and Brandon, determined then that they would do what it takes to provide the best care for their son. Today, that includes Grady receiving various therapeutic services at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Tuscumbia.

Though he hasn’t been officially diagnosed, Grady exhibits symptoms of cerebral palsy, with extreme muscle tightness.

He undergoes occupational, physical and speech therapy at the center.

The gains he has made the past 18 months since he started at the center are tremendous, Sydney Richardson said.

“I simply don’t know what we’d do without the center,” she said.

“We really owe Grady’s progress to those who’ve worked with him so faithfully. They’ve even taught me how to do exercises with him at home. It’s such a huge blessing to us that they care so much for him. That means a lot.”

The center is dependent on donations and the public will have the opportunity to contribute during the 48th annual United Cerebral Palsy Telethon on March 4.

The telethon will be 1-5 p.m. and broadcast on WHDF Channel 15, The Valley’s CW.

Sponsored by Florence Civitan Club, all money raised during the event stays in the local center to serve Shoals children and their families. This year’s goal is $125,000. The goal hasn’t been met in the past five years.

Last year, the telethon raised $105,767.

“It is very beneficial for individuals to call in their pledges early or mail them directly,” said Alison Isbell. Shoals UCP Center director. “If they do this, we can better ensure that we get everyone’s pledge acknowledged during the telethon. We rely heavily on our telethon to keep our doors open from year to year.”

Mailing address for contributions is UCP, 507 N. Hook St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674.

The center offers an Early Intervention Program in which pediatric therapy services provide physical, occupational, cognitive and speech therapies to children born with disabilities or who are at risk for disabilities. Wee-Care is an early learning program in which children with and without disabilities learn side by side and the Hearts Respite program provides money for families who have a developmentally disabled child to hire sitters.

In Grady’s case, delayed motor skills have been the biggest issue.

“It took him longer to roll over, hold a bottle and crawl,” Sydney said. “He still isn’t walking, but he’s a hard worker. With the strides he has made so far, we hold a lot of hope for him to continue progressing. Once he began in therapy at the center, he flourished.

Richardson said her family will make a donation during the telethon and plans to volunteer.

“When you see the good an (agency) like this does, you have to get involved to make sure it stays open to continue helping children,” she said. “I’ve always had a big heart for special needs children and now I have one of my own. I chose to look at the positives and what he has accomplished. If the average person understood what all these folks at the UCP Center do for these children, there would never be a lack for money or resources.”

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 256-740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.