Fifteen years ago, I was blessed with a beautiful little girl. Her name is Grace. She was born with an Intellectual Disability and Microcephaly. Grace has special needs and while she may not learn or do some things the same way others do; her disability does not define her.

Grace loves to dance, sing, exercise, hug, play, and hang out with friends. She loves animals, ALL animals. She loves to be included in EVERYTHING. She is a "typical" teenager who can be moody. She enjoys music REALLY LOUD. :-)  She has her favorite foods. Grace has her own interests. She, like so many other people in the world today with a disability, are not that different from people without a disability. People with special needs want love, acceptance, friends, a social life, to work, and independence. Most of all, they too have dreams, skills and talents they want to share.

So many times, I have searched for ANY place or program that my daughter who has special needs could go and enjoy herself. In my role as a Special Education teacher, I have been asked many times by parents if there are any local social programs available for their children. The answer is no, NOT YET.  There is no place to go for recreation that is safe and welcoming for the disabled population. Often, places are too loud, too crowded, do not understand the sensitivities of some, OR people will stare/comment and create an uncomfortable environment for everyone. I need YOUR help to create this! 

The vision is to create a space for ALL people, regardless of having a disability or not, to find friendships and have positive social interactions. A place to hang out and learn from each other. A place to go and feel safe. A place to realize freedom without judgement. A place that is knowledgeable and promotes awareness to sensitivities and needs. A place to learn skills that boost independence. Through the interactions with people who have special needs we best recognize a commonality that we ALL have; TO BELONG. 

The funds you donate will go toward creating a non-profit called Life in the Groove. Life in the Groove is currently a blog that I am creating that will be filled with resources and stories for people with special needs and their families. The money raised will be used to create the non-profit organization that will have a brick and mortar facility open to ALL people, regardless of having a diagnosis or not, providing an experience to participate and belong to something; hang out, watch movies, dance, exercise, meet new people, etc. This facility will foster experiences that bring together those with special needs and those who do not. The result will be the opportunity to interact in a safe environment and realize that we are not that different.

Your contributions will go towards (just to name a few):

·         Set up costs
·         Legal Fees
·         Web Design/Technology
·         Insurance
·         Equipment costs
·         Facility acquisition
·         Program Development
·         Business consultation
·         Utilities
·         Staffing
·         Promotion

How you can help:

1.    Donate money – ALL amounts help

2.    Donate resources (this can keep the monetary startup costs down)

               a.     Equipment
               b.     Furniture
               c.     Web design
               d.    Campaigning
               e.    Legal expertise
               f.     Planning/Design
               g.    Grant Writing
               h.    Construction
               i.      Business expertise
               j.      Fundraising experience

 

3.    SPREAD THE WORD– if all you can do is this one, please pass this on to EVERYONE you know. It will make a HUGE impact. Let us create a tidal wave of positive energy in this world…let us start the movement to create the change. Let us change our minds so we can change the world.

 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time and donating your talents and/or monetary contribution. This will be the beginning of a beautiful journey that will enrich the lives of so many. Thank you!!

Follow our journey on FB & Instagram - @lifeinthegroove, and our blog at the link below.

Blessings,

 

Cindy Brown & family

www.lifeinthegroove.com