Back in the Game with HBOT

For Wauseon High School athlete Riley Riegsecker, sports have always been more than just a pastime. They are a way of life. A dedicated and competitive athlete, Riley has played varsity basketball for the past two years while also competing in track and AAU basketball. His commitment to athletic excellence is reflected in a demanding training schedule that includes six days per week of basketball skill development, strength training, and plyometric conditioning.

That dedication was suddenly put to the test when a routine basketball workout resulted in a serious injury.

During a training session, Riley landed awkwardly and severely rolled his ankle. The pain was immediate and intense. Within a short time, his ankle had swollen to approximately the size of a tennis ball, and he struggled to move normally. The injury occurred at one of the worst possible times; just ten days before the start of Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) play.

After being evaluated at urgent care, Riley’s ankle was placed in a compression wrap and stabilized in a walking boot. He required crutches to get around. The injury not only sidelined him from basketball practices, games, conditioning sessions, and weight training, but also made everyday activities difficult. Even getting around his own home was a challenge, and he developed a noticeable limp.

For an athlete accustomed to constant movement and competition, the sudden loss of mobility was difficult, both physically and emotionally.

As a teacher at New Horizons Academy, Riley’s mom, Allie, had heard numerous success stories over the years about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) at Sara’s Garden. Determined to explore every possible avenue to support Riley’s recovery, the family decided to pursue treatment there in hopes of helping him heal faster and return to the court.

The results were encouraging almost immediately.

After just two Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy sessions, Riley experienced noticeable improvements in both his mobility and his limp. He was walking more comfortably and moving with greater ease. Those early gains provided a significant boost to his confidence and motivation.

As treatment continued, Riley reported additional benefits. He experienced increased energy, less fatigue, reduced ankle pain, and an overall sense of improved well-being. These improvements helped support his recovery and allowed him to gradually resume normal activities with greater comfort and confidence.

Throughout the process, Riley was surrounded by encouragement from family, friends, teammates, and community members. Many had heard positive stories about HBOT at Sara’s Garden and were eager to follow his progress. Their support became an important source of motivation as he worked toward his goal of returning to competition.

What happened next exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Despite the severity of the injury, Riley was back on the basketball court just ten days later for the opening game of league play. Not only did he return to action, but he also delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 21 points and helping lead Wauseon to a hard-fought victory in an exciting, closely contested game.

“Seeing him compete at that level so soon after his injury was remarkable,” Allie shared. “We never imagined he would be able to return that quickly.”

Riley went on to enjoy an exceptional season, earning numerous accolades, including First Team NWOAL, First Team District 7, Second Team All-Northwest District, and Honorable Mention All-Ohio Division IV honors.

Today, five months after the injury, Riley feels fully recovered. The swelling has completely resolved, he no longer requires an ankle brace, and he has returned to training and competition with confidence. He feels stronger, more stable, and comfortable participating in the activities he loves without fear of reinjury.

While every injury and recovery journey is unique, Riley believes Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy played an important role in supporting his healing process, reducing discomfort, and helping him return to an active lifestyle sooner than expected.

His family’s gratitude remains strong.

“We are incredibly thankful to have such a valuable resource so close to home,” Allie said. “Sara’s Garden played a tremendous role in helping Riley return to the basketball court and enjoy a season that we feared might have been cut short. We were amazed by both the results and the speed of his recovery.”

For athletes facing injuries and the uncertainty that often follows, Riley’s story serves as an inspiring example of determination, support, and the potential benefits that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may provide as part of the recovery process.

No matter what you’ve been told, there is hope… for this and many other conditions. HBOT is treatment without drugs… without surgery… without pain.

Thank You to the Ohio Elks

Thank You to the Ohio Elks for Supporting Sara’s Garden and Its High School Vocational Program!

Thank you to the Ohio Elks Cerebral Palsy (CP) Fund and the Toledo-Sylvania Elks Lodge #53 for donating close to $12,000 for a specialized, vocational engraving tool program. This engraving tool will be used to improve the vocational skills and independence of New Horizons Academy’s (NHA) middle school and high school special needs students with CP and other neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The engraving equipment will help to promote vocational development and training to expand career and vocational prospects and promote greater independence and future financial stability. This equipment is very important in meeting the functional, therapeutic, technical, and vocational needs of NHA’s special needs students and young adults.

Become part of NHA’s story in a meaningful and lasting way by purchasing a personalized memorial brick. Each engraved brick is more than a name—it’s a tribute to cherished memories, honored loved ones, and the shared pride of our school community. Placed along our walkway, these bricks will stand for years to come, celebrating the people and moments that matter most while helping support the future of our students. Leave your mark, honor a legacy, and help us build something that will inspire generations.

For a tax-deductible donation, we will personalize your limited edition section of walkway at either the Springfield or Wauseon campus. This program offers you the chance to honor family, friends, mentors, sports teams, clubs, organizations or businesses by purchasing a personalized brick paver.

Best of all, every brick is carefully created right here on campus by our students!

Through our work-study program, students design, engrave, and paint each memorial brick using our laser equipment—gaining valuable hands-on skills, real-world experience, and pride in craftsmanship. Your tribute not only leaves a lasting legacy, but also helps provide meaningful learning opportunities that prepare our students for the future.

“Buy a Brick” Donor Levels:
$50 – 4″ x 8″ engraved brick space with 1-3 lines of text.
$75 – 8″ x 8″ engraved brick space with 1-6 lines of text.
$100 – 12″ x 12″ engraved brick space with 1-8 lines of text.

Inscriptions are in UPPERCASE lettering and are centered on the brick. You can also customize your brick with decorative clip art or logo graphics at NO ADDITIONAL COST. Simply upload a high resolution black & white logo when you place your order.

For more information on NHA’s Brick Program or to order a custom-engraved brick paver, made by NHA’s students, click HERE.

In addition to the CP engraving tool program, the Ohio Elks also supported three CP Summer Camp Sponsorships to Sara’s Garden Annual Skills Camp.

Every year, Ohio Elks Lodges from across the state raise money to support organizations that provide care, treatment, training, and rehabilitation for individuals with CP. We are so grateful to the Ohio Elks Association, the CP Fund, and the Toledo-Sylvania Elks Lodge #53 for their generosity!

All proceeds from this event will be used towards the purchase of therapy equipment for our clients and students at Sara’s Garden and New Horizons Academy. Sara’s Garden is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is the only facility in the United States to offer Autism Intervention, Conductive Education, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Integration and Speech-Language Pathology services.

Grounds for Gratitude

Five years ago, in the midst of the uncertainty and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Special Grounds Coffee Co. was born out of necessity, hope, and a vision for the future. As vocational placements became increasingly difficult to secure for students at New Horizons Academy, our team saw an opportunity to create something meaningful right here at home. What began as a way to provide valuable job training has grown into a thriving coffee shop that has become an important part of our community while transforming the lives of the students we serve.

Over the past five years, Special Grounds has provided countless opportunities for students to build confidence, develop practical job skills, and experience the pride that comes from meaningful work. Whether greeting customers with a smile at the café counter or drive-thru window, learning to roast and flavor premium coffee beans, preparing our delicious sandwiches and pastries in the kitchen, or completing behind-the-scenes responsibilities like inventory management, writing thank-you notes, and stocking and stamping cups and sleeves, every task is designed to help students develop skills that will benefit them for years to come.

As Special Grounds has continued to grow, so have the opportunities available to our students. One of our most exciting additions has been the launch of the Special Grounds coffee truck, allowing us to take our mission beyond our café walls and into the communities we serve. From local events to businesses and community gatherings, the coffee truck has created even more hands-on vocational experiences while introducing new customers to both our exceptional coffee and our incredible students.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our community. Every cup of coffee purchased, every sandwich ordered, every event booked, and every encouraging conversation has helped make Special Grounds more than just a coffee shop. Together, our customers, volunteers, donors, and community partners have helped create an environment where students are empowered to learn, grow, and discover what they are capable of achieving.

As we prepare to celebrate our fifth anniversary in September, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey. While we are proud of everything we have accomplished together over the past five years, we know the best is still ahead. Thank you for believing in our mission, supporting our students, and making Special Grounds Coffee Co. such a special place. We look forward to serving our amazing customers, and creating even more life-changing opportunities for our students, for many years to come.

A Summer of Growth, Progress, and Smiles

The halls of Sara’s Garden’s Wauseon campus were filled with excitement, determination, and plenty of smiles during our 2026 Summer Enrichment Program. Throughout the program, our incredible kiddos embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and challenge themselves. Whether they were reinforcing skills they had already developed or reaching exciting new milestones, each child demonstrated remarkable perseverance and enthusiasm. It was truly inspiring to watch their confidence blossom as the weeks unfolded.

None of this would have been possible without our outstanding team of therapists, teachers, intervention specialists and volunteers. Their passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment created an environment where every student felt encouraged to succeed. By working together across disciplines, our staff helped each child make meaningful progress while ensuring camp remained engaging, supportive, and fun.

We are grateful for the Speech Therapy students from the University of Toledo who completed their summer clinical placements with us. Their compassion, professionalism, and eagerness to learn made a tremendous impact on both our students and our team. They quickly became an important part of the Sara’s Garden family, and we are excited to watch them flourish and wish them luck as they begin their careers as speech-language pathologists. We sincerely thank them for sharing their talents with us this summer.

Summer intervention camps provide so much more than a fun seasonal experience. They give students the opportunity to continue building important skills, maintain consistent routines, and bridge the long break between school years. By keeping children engaged in meaningful therapeutic and educational activities throughout the summer, we help set them up for a smoother transition back into the classroom when fall arrives.

As one incredible camp comes to a close, we are excited to turn the page to our Summer Enrichment Program at our Springfield campus. We can’t wait to see the amazing accomplishments, breakthroughs, and joyful moments that await those students in the weeks ahead. Thank you to every family, staff member, volunteer, and supporter who helped make our Wauseon camp such a tremendous success. Together, we’re creating opportunities for children to reach their fullest potential, one summer at a time.

2026 Drive Fore Hope Recap

From the first tee-off to the final putt, this year’s tournament was a hole-in-one success! Thank you so much to our sponsors, volunteers, staff, team players, Ironwood Golf Course and Habaneros for making the event a great success.

This year’s winning team was from Richmond Machine. Picture here from left to right: Ryan Richmond, Randy Dominique, Lee Richmond and Adam Lubin. Students at NHA will create a commemorative engraved brick for the winning team that will be placed out on our playground.

SAVE THE DATE for next year’s Drive Fore Hope Event – May 28, 2027.

The complete photo gallery from the 2026 Drive Fore Hope can be found on our Facebook page by clicking HERE.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the playground resurface project at New Horizons Academy.

Platinum Title Sponsors

Everence Financial
F&M Bank
Rupp Seeds, Inc.

Gold Event Sponsors

Circle K
Winzeler & Bok, LTD

Bronze Meal Sponsors

ACE Hardware – Wauseon

2026 Purse BINGO Recap

Luck, laughter and lots of BINGO! What a great night spending the evening with over 200 individuals, family, friends, volunteers and sponsors supporting Sara’s Garden & New Horizons Academy. The evening was spent playing BINGO, enjoying great food, flavored coffee & lemonade, laughter and fun! All proceeds from this event will go towards the playground resurface project at New Horizons Academy.

The complete photo gallery from the 2026 Wheel of Purses can be found on our Facebook page by clicking HERE.

Thank to all those who attended and supported this year’s event and a special thank you to our sponsors and also the following businesses that donated an item to the event: Passion 4 Fashion, Blooms Flower Co., Habaneros, Kings Flooring & Furniture, Callie Schnitkey at The Brush Haus, Ambria Photography, Three M Bloom, Anna Martinez at Bare Beauty, Sullivans, Healthy Spot Wauseon, Sauder’s Outlet, Skin Alchemy Aesthetics, Freedom Engraving, Baldy’s Furniture, Chief’s, Crafty Sue,, Special Grounds Coffee and many other anonymous donors.

Title Sponsors

Anderzack Pitzen Construction, Inc.
Andres O’Neil & Lowe
Everence
Jeff & Tiffany Nofziger
Pondview Veterinary Clinic
Riley Tractor Parts

Event Sponsors

Defiance Meijer Store #189
Winzeler & Bok, Ltd

Purse Sponsors

BNI Westside Power Partners
Kate’s Sugaring + Spray Tanning
Lindsey @ Healthy Spot Wauseon
Root Beauty + Wellness
Skin Alchemy Aesthetics, LLC
The Murphy Family

Event MC

Apryl Cluckey with Four Of A Kind Entertainment

NHA Back-to-School Save the Dates

The 2026-2027 school year is just around the corner. To help prepare for this coming school year, mark your calendar and save the following dates for New Horizons Academy:

August
4—NHA School Board Meeting
12—New Staff Orientation
13—Springfield Campus Open House
13-14—Staff Inservice
14—Wauseon Campus Open House & Career Center Orientation
17—First Day of School
25—Wauseon School Picture Day
26—Springfield School Picture Day

September
7—No School for Labor Day
8—No School for Fair Day

NHA Still Accepting Student Applications 2026-27 School Year

New Horizons Academy (NHA) still has openings for students for the 2026-2027 school year! NHA is finalizing its 2026-2027 student enrollment at all three of its locations, so please get your applications in TODAY!

Currently, NHA serves special education students from over 25 different school districts from across nine Northwest Ohio counties through its regional special education PK-12 school campus at 220 Lawrence Ave. in Wauseon, its Greater Toledo Area Campus at 6201 Trust Dr. in Holland—just off of Airport Highway, and its Career Center and Special Grounds Coffee Shop at 854 S. Shoop Ave. in Wauseon. If you are looking for the right special education placement for your preschool to high school student, a place where your child feels like he or she fits in, consider NHA.

NHA’s Wauseon & Springfield Township Campuses:

Accept Autism Education Plans (AEPs), based upon a medical diagnosis of autism,
Are regional preschool to 12th grade special education schools,
Have a 1:2—staff to student ratio,
Specialize in individualized, personalized education,
Provide strong academics, community involvement, life skills classes, and vocational training,
Offer early intervention, (EI) conductive education (CE), sensory integration & speech/language pathology (SLP),
Participate in the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program,
Are Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Schools,
With individual education plans (IEPs), accept both the Autism & Jon Peterson Scholarships as payment in full.

NHA’s Career Center & Special Grounds Coffee Shop:

Prides itself on small classroom sizes (5-8 students),
Works with young adults up to age 21,
Targets functional academics, vocational skills training, and work study placements,
Provides on-site work study placements through Special Grounds Coffee including kitchen and food prep, coffee bean flavoring and packaging, counter and customer service work, and maintenance and cleaning,
Helps transition high school students and special needs young adults into community work study programs,
Provides job coaching and transportation to community work sites,
Community work site partners include Chief Supermarkets, Triangular Processing, Mahnke Orchards & Lily Creek Farms, Goodwill, Home Restaurant, Heritage Inn, Lott Industries, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, and many others.

Our mission is to help your child achieve the greatest independence possible through early intervention programs, classes, community activities, life skills training, vocational placements, and job coaching.

Steps to Enrollment:

Call the school at 419-335-7272 for more information.
Submit a copy of your child’s IEP or AEP & ETR for review.
Schedule a school tour, interview, and student assessment.
If accepted, complete student enrollment paperwork, and provide proof of residency.
Complete and accept the Autism or Jon Peterson Scholarship.

For more information on New Horizons Academy or to schedule a tour, contact Admissions Coordinator Michelle Nagle at 419-335-7272 or via email at michellen@sarasgarden.org.

From Lost Memories to New Beginnings

For Tim Coons, life has never followed a simple path. At just four years old, he was diagnosed with Myotonia Congenita, a rare inherited condition that prevents muscles from quickly relaxing after contraction. Throughout his childhood and into early adulthood, this meant frequent falls—and often, being unable to get back up right away. Those moments came with a cost: repeated head injuries from ages 4 through 27, shaping both his physical and cognitive experiences in ways he only later came to fully understand.

Despite these challenges, Tim adapted. He lived with resilience, often pushing through without medical intervention, trusting that time alone would help him recover. But in February 2020, everything changed.

A severe auto accident left Tim with multiple head injuries and a concussion that would dramatically alter his life. In the months that followed, he lost nearly all of his memory—up to 95%—for six to eight months. He describes that time as being trapped: confined to a dark room, in constant pain, aware that he should be able to remember, but unable to access even the simplest thoughts. With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting access to care, he found himself searching for relief wherever he could.

Like many facing chronic pain without guidance, Tim turned to short-term solutions. He began using THC to cope, which temporarily dulled the pain but led to a difficult cycle of dependency. “If I quit for even one day,” he recalls, “it felt like my head was being compressed with sharp daggers from every direction.” It was a loop he knew he needed to break—but didn’t yet know how.

That turning point came when his mother discovered Sara’s Garden. Known for its natural and innovative therapies, Sara’s Garden offered something Tim had never tried before: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

From his very first session, the impact was undeniable.

After just one HBOT “dive,” Tim walked outside and felt something he hadn’t experienced in years—connection. “I felt more connected to life than ever before,” he shares. His senses sharpened, his mind cleared, and for the first time since his accident, the pain began to ease. That initial breakthrough marked the beginning of consistent, meaningful progress.

With each treatment, improvements continued. His headspace became clearer. His memory strengthened. The constant pain that once dominated his days began to fade. Perhaps most significantly, within just a few sessions, he noticed the grip of THC addiction loosening. By the third dive, the intense urge to rely on it had disappeared.

HBOT didn’t just help Tim recover—it helped him rebuild.

Following another serious fall that resulted in additional head trauma and a prolonged loss of consciousness, Tim returned to Sara’s Garden. This time, the results went beyond recovery. “Not only did I heal,” he says, “I became better.”

Today, Tim is back to working with clients, reconnecting with colleagues, and pursuing his ambitions. His coworkers, who witnessed his journey in real-time, were astonished by the transformation—seeing him go from struggling to function to thriving again in a matter of days and weeks. What once felt impossible—clarity, consistency, and forward momentum—has become his new reality.

He now approaches life with renewed purpose: continuing his professional work, building a nonprofit, and contributing to a growing business venture—all while maintaining a demanding daily schedule. Most importantly, he has broken free from THC entirely, embracing long-term healing over short-term relief.

Tim’s journey is a testament to perseverance, the power of support, and the impact of innovative natural therapies like HBOT. As he reflects on everything he has overcome, one message stands out clearly: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

At Sara’s Garden, that opportunity helped Tim find his way back—not just to who he was, but to who he’s becoming. No matter what you’ve been told, there is hope… for this and many other conditions. HBOT is treatment without drugs… without surgery… without pain.

Special Grounds Sanctuary Refresh

There are moments in the life of a space when it quietly asks to be renewed—not erased or replaced, but deepened. Recently, that’s exactly what we’ve experienced with the sanctuary space at Special Grounds Coffee.

What began as a simple desire to refresh a well-loved space by updating the aging floor turned into something more meaningful: an opportunity to reimagine how this space serves you—our customers and community.

From the start, our goal wasn’t just aesthetic. Yes, you’ll notice the updated flooring, the brighter tones, and the thoughtful layout. But behind the scenes, we made significant improvements to the foundation of the space as well. We replaced the entire subfloor system, removed the stage, updated the lighting, and improved airflow by replacing the fans and increasing ventilation throughout the room. These changes not only enhance comfort but also create a more welcoming environment for everyone who gathers here.

Every decision was guided by a deeper question: How can this space better support connection, reflection, and belonging?

The result is a sanctuary that feels both familiar and new.

By removing the stage, we opened up the room to allow for more seating and create a more natural flow, making it easier for gatherings to feel organic rather than structured. Seating has been intentionally arranged to invite conversation while still leaving room for quiet moments. The lighting now works in harmony with the space, creating an atmosphere that’s just as welcoming for early morning coffee as it is for evening and weekend events.

But perhaps the most important part of this renovation isn’t what we added—it’s what we have kept possible.

This sanctuary is meant to hold a wide range of moments: conversations that matter, creative ideas taking shape, quiet pauses in busy days, and gatherings that bring people closer together. It’s a space that adapts to you.

Our newly renovated sanctuary is still available to rent for your upcoming gatherings. Whether you’re holding a birthday party, baby or bridal shower, or a business meeting, we have you covered.

Sara’s Garden offers facility rental opportunities in both the sanctuary at Special Grounds Coffee and the hall in the NHA Career Center for larger events. If you are interested in reserving our facilities for a personal or business event, please visit Special Grounds’ website and fill out a reservation form. Please note: filling out this form does not guarantee a reservation. After you submit your request, our team will follow up with you directly via phone or email to answer any questions and confirm availability.

Sara’s Garden provides hope through health, education, and vocational services to empower individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible. As a community-based nonprofit, all rentals and donations directly support our special needs programming here in Northwest Ohio.

We’re incredibly grateful for your patience while this work was underway, and even more grateful to share the finished space with you now. Whether you come in to meet a friend, attend an event, or simply to enjoy a quiet moment alone, we hope you feel what we set out to create: A space that welcomes you exactly as you are—and gives you room to stay awhile.

We can’t wait to see how you make it your own.

FACILITY RESERVATION REQUESTS