After feeling the glare of national and international media for tragedy and controversy, it's nice to have Tucson linked to something positive in an article about the Origins Society and Global College picked up by MSNBC.

Ali Altmer gives the thumbs-up to onlookers after finally getting on a horse on her fifth attempt.

Mounting a horse for the first time can be challenging for anyone, but for Ali it's a milestone in a life that has uphill battles every day.

Ali is developmentally disabled and day-to-day living is his greatest challenge. Overcoming his phobia of animals has allowed him to interact with more people, and his family has a local nonprofit to thank for his newfound confidence.

Making his life and others with developmental disabilities a little brighter is just part of the mission of Origins Society and Global College, based in Tucson but with roots in Arivaca.

Founded by James Gittings in 1986 with the help of a federal grant, and incorporated in 1991, Origins is a community-based residential treatment center in Tucson under the umbrella of the Department of Economic Security's Developmental Disabilities program working with adults with developmental disabilities. Origins is also funded privately by parents and guardians of those they serve.