Rising Treetops at Oakhurst started as a place for children to enjoy fresh air and spend the summer away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Established in 1906 as The Crippled Children's East Side Free School in Lower East Side of Manhattan, the summer home was the first of its kind dedicated to providing respite for those with physical disabilities. It was a simple place with a dormitory for boys and girls, cots to sleep on, and an infirmary. In 1946, the organization was renamed New York Service for the Orthopedically Handicapped and began its pilot pre-school program for children with cerebral palsy. The program was designed to be an intensive one, incorporating physical and speech therapy into the curriculum. The success of the program was such that in 1952, the Board of Education adopted it in its entirety. This program went on to become a model for other pre-schools and special education programs. Today, Rising Treetops at Oakhurst is a vibrant and accessible space for children with physical disabilities. It offers a range of activities and therapies designed to empower young ones and give them the confidence they need to thrive in their everyday life.