By Colin Smith | Contributor A few years back, an autistic ten-year-old was found wandering around a hospital alone. His mother decided that she couldn’t handle his medical and behavioral issues, so she dropped him off and left. This is not an isolated incident: parents with special needs children can grow…
By Madeline Braley | Contributor Best Buddies is all about fitting in with friends who accept you for who you are with your disabilities. I have been a part of this incredible program for the past 7 years. Through Best Buddies, I have learned that being different does not define…
How Summer Camps Can Impact Kids with Special Needs by Jordan Kiefer Developing a new interest; taking a break from the school year; creating lasting memories and friendships—for these reasons and so many more, summer camp is a meaningful experience for all kids, including those with special needs. Yet, it…
Opportunities and options for special needs or disabled young adults after high school By Karyn Brodsky Choosing a path after high school can be overwhelming; finding the right path for a differently-abled student can be downright challenging. Thankfully, more vocational and transitional programs are popping up in Texas and the rest…
At My Possibilities, differently abled students chart their course in society by Karyn Brodsky It is said that you’re never too old to learn. That holds especially true for those with special needs. But what happens when these students age out of high school programs and there’s nothing more…
Physical Fitness Options for Special Needs Kids Pictured above, Sara “Happy” Waterman running the 4 X 4 baton race at the Special Olympics regional track meet. by Lisa A. Beach When it comes to staying physically active, special needs kids can be just like the rest of us. Some days,…
by Lisa A. Beach For adults with disabilities, independent travel poses unique challenges. At hotels, people who use wheelchairs need an accessible restroom so they can roll into the shower. At movie theaters, people with poor vision or mobility issues need ramps and good lighting to safely find a…
Adaptive Skiing removes the barriers between individuals with disabilities and one of America’s favorite family pastimes. by Melanie Hess As the winter season arrives, families around the globe prepare to head to their favorite slopes. For families in Dallas-Fort Worth, skiing is about more than just the ideal bonding opportunity…
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Building one-to-one friendships between people with and without IDD, is witnessed locally with great success throughout our schools,…