When Al and Dessie Bailey found out that their beautiful baby Claudia had Down syndrome, their first thoughts were why? "Don't feel sorry for those kids," a wise doctor told them, "feel sorry for the kids who have the mentality but don't use it." The Baileys thoughts then turned from why to what. What can we do for our daughter and other children like her? It is with this mission of hope and determination that the Baileys and many other families came together to found Opportunity Village.

Helping Hands, Helping Hearts by veteran journalist Jack Harpster chronicles the heartache and the hope along the journey undertaken by those who cared to make a difference. From the ideas of parents who wanted to "do something" to the pre-eminence of the Opportunity Village of today, this story is not about what these special people can't do - but what they can.