Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. was better known as Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins quarterback. He was born on September 15, 1961 in Pittsburgh, PA. Dan Marino was recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. Miami Dolphins picked University of Pittsburgh quarterback Dan Marino in 1983. From then on, he had literally rewritten the NFL’s record book on passing section to 48 touchdown passes. I have earned Rookie of the Year honors in the same year. He was the first player ever to pass for 5,000 yards to finish a remarkable 5,084 yards in one season. I have practically set six league records. He became NFL’s Most Valuable Player. Dan Marino’s passing prowess continued setting records for passing yards and completions. On August 7, 2005 he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The good works of a good man
The Dan Marino Foundation
The Dan Marino Foundation was established in 1992. The mission of the organization is to raise funds in order to support various children’s charities located in South Florida. It supports programs for intervention on children with special needs. Children who have chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities benefited from the organization’s outreach services. Funds were also committed to provide research on treatment programs.
The Marino Autism Research Institute (MARI)
The organization together with the joint effort of the University of Miami and Vanderbilt University coordinated and worked together on research for new strategies that will lead to the understanding, treatment and prevention of autism. The research covers genetics, electrophysiology, brain imaging and clinical and educational initiatives.
The Miami Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Center
This has a state of the art gym, adaptive aquatic center and office space for use by occupational and physical therapist services. This is a nationally recognized aquatic program created specifically for recreation and increased activity of children with special needs outside their clinical therapy. Pediatric programs provided are aqua therapy; health, wellness and prevention programs; multimodal interactive language enrichment; swimming lessons; summer program and sport orthopedic injury rehabilitation aquatic program.
Childnett.TV
Childnett.TV was the first of its kind free web TV channel available to families and professionals worldwide. This is in an effort to provide information and share worldwide resources to children with autism and neuro-developmental disorders. Personal stories, therapies and latest medical breakthroughs are also included in the program.
Marine Swim Central Adaptive Aquatics Certification
Swimming instructors work with children with developmental disabilities for their safety and increased physical activity.
University of Miami/Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM/NSU CARD)
The UM/NSU CARD provides individualized direct assistance to children and adults who have autism, pervasive developmental disorders and sensory impairment with disabling conditions.
Vanderbilt University Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD)
TRIAD is a program that offers treatment services for children with autism disorders. It also provides training and knowledge for their families and service providers.
