When Garden Villa first opened its pediatric care center, we met our first patient, Michael. Michael was a bright young boy stricken with a profound developmental disability. He was unable to express himself or communicate, yet visible in his eyes was the wonder and hope of every child.

Michael moved into the pediatric center to receive the full-time care that his condition required. Our caring staff looked after Michael like he was part of the family, day in and day out, knowing that he would never be able to respond or communicate with them.

Then one bright day after a heavy spring rain, Michael took everyone by surprise. From his bedside window, Michael glimpsed at a rainbow and reacted excitedly with smiles and sounds. For the first time, Michael had responded to his surroundings. Clearly, he possessed within him the wonder of a child. No matter how severely he was affected by his disability, there was something special inside him.

It has been more than 25 years since Michael’s rainbow appeared outside his window. The Garden Villa pediatrics team has always treasured the hope and meaning of that moment by naming the facility in honor of Michael and adopting Michael’s rainbow image as the symbol of the promise that lives in every child at Michael’s House.