Hi, my name is Brady Valcho, and I'm a senior at Middle Creek High School. For my senior project I would like to raise money to provide a park bench at Middle Creek Greenway, here is my story:

Not all differences are visible. For kids like me that have an "invisible disability"—in my case, autism—recognizing invisible differences is the first step toward true inclusivity.

Recently, I was walking on the Middle Creek Greenway in Holly Springs with my Mom. Having felt tired from dealing with her lupus all month (another invisible disability), she was looking around for a place to sit down. I realized there were no benches available. I came home and told my dad about how she had to lean on one of the fences for a few minutes until she was able to get back to her car.

Park benches are a wonderful space for anyone who needs a rest, take a break, or a new mom walking with her baby, an elderly person out on a stroll, a child that needs to stop so shoes can be tied, or just a quiet place to sit and enjoy the beautiful nature around us in our town of Holly Springs, NC .

Inclusivity is not about having special accommodations. It is about creating spaces that work for all of us—for the visible and invisible differences. Please give what you can. No donation is too small. Thank you.

Brady Valcho

Senior, Middle Creek High School