This March, the Ella Rose Foundation officially turned two. Parts of our work still feel new, yet the deep connections we have made make it seem like we have been doing this far longer.

Two years ago, I was a special needs mom with a dream, to help other families get the support and resources they truly deserve. I believed strongly I could make a difference and because of that belief I began sharing my dream. Before I know it, the most amazing happened: people started showing up. They offered to help fundraise, design our website, and spread the word about who we are and why we care so deeply.

Those first few months weren’t easy, and funding was tight, but I never lost hope. People kept showing up fundraiser after fundraiser, and as of today we have supported over two dozens families. Families who are deeply grateful and who will now forever be part of the Ella Rose family.

Beyond supporting families, part of my dream has always been to give back to our local community, in varying different ways. Last week, we had the privilege of doing just that by awarding college scholarships to two of our in‑district seniors. Maddie Larkin and Jacob Carter each shared moving stories and meaningful connections to the special needs community. It was truly an honor to present these scholarships to them and we can’t wait to follow their journey into college. It’s our hope to continue to honor exceptional students for years to come.

I often think back to my school days and realize how hard it is to remember ever knowing or hearing about family members or classmates with disabilities. It felt as though most students who were classified were placed together in a separate classroom, kept almost “hidden” from the rest of the building. To be fair, I can’t say whether this was because I didn’t have a personal connection to the disability community back then or if it truly reflected reality. What I do know is that things have changed since my days in public school over thirty years ago. There has been so much progress toward inclusion—but there’s still much more to be done.

The more we talk about and raise awareness for this exceptional community of children and adults, the more we can break down the stigma that surrounds them. To someone on the outside, a person’s disability might seem scary or intimidating—but at the heart of every human being is the same desire: to be loved and accepted. Patience and understanding can make all the difference and the more you informed, the better you can be for those around you. Supporting this growth and awareness is at the heart of our mission.

I am not done dreaming or meeting people who inspire me to think bigger and I can’t wait to see how far this journey takes us! We are just getting started.

If you would like to learn more about the Ella Rose Foundation, or to make a donation, please visit our website at http://www.ellarosefoundation.org. You can also follow us on social media for event updates and to see all the wonderful things we are doing within the community.