Category: More than words

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Able Buddies NC Family & Friends Night – October Recap!

 If you missed our Able Buddies NC Family and Friends Night on October 17th, here’s what you missed — it was a spook-tacular evening!

Our theme this month was Halloween, and our amazing decorating committee truly outdid themselves once again. The room was filled with festive touches, from pumpkins to cobwebs, setting the perfect scene for a night of fun and friendship.

We had so many wonderful guests come dressed in costume — everything from Pikachu and ballerinas to Thing 1 and Thing 2, Elphaba, and even a cowboy made an appearance!

One of the highlights of the evening was a special storytime with author Emily Jean Sanders, who read her delightful book “Bubbs in Space.” Everyone loved hearing the story straight from the author herself — thank you, Emily, for sharing your talent and time with us!

Our kitchen crew warmed everyone’s hearts (and bellies!) with delicious, hearty soups and tasty desserts.

A very special thank you goes out to Heather Loughery and Family for sponsoring this month’s event — for the second time this year! Heather has been part of Able Buddies NC since our very first dance, and she continues to bring joy and kindness to every event. We are so grateful for her ongoing support and friendship.

Next month’s theme is FRIENDSGIVING, and we can’t wait to celebrate together again!

If you’d like more information about our Family and Friends Nights, or if you’re interested in sponsoring an event in 2026, please reach out to Aileen at Aileen@AbleBuddiesNC.org.

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Dance With Me!

Written by:  Bella’s Biggest Fan

Labels.

When my daughter Bella was born prematurely 14 years ago so did the labels begin.

Doctors see diagnosis conditions and limitations. First was, if she survives, she may not be able to ever walk, or talk with limited intelligence.

In the beginning the labels bothered and aggrieved me. As Bella got older, as a special needs super mom, I worked hard finding therapies and diets to diminish the labels given to her, such as autistic, verbal, cerebral palsy, brain injury, developmentally delayed.

When I stopped trying to fix what everyone was saying was wrong with my baby, I truly saw Bella was special, not because of her clinical labels but because she showed me what joy and living your best life really was.

When Bella was five, she hated the leg braces she had to wear in order to walk “ right”. The orthopedics Dr told us that she can’t run in it, but at least she can walk. She looked at him and smiled and laughed, as is her way about everything, but this time she stood up and danced. Every mouth in the room dropped to the floor, speechless at what we were witnessing. Soon everyone joined in her joy and laughter and started dancing too.

After that day, I knew mom and daughter would be fine!! She would guide me and I would be her biggest fan and protector, as she lives against the odds and unaware of the world’s labels and limitations placed on her.

At 14 she’s still dancing and laughing.. giving anyone near her a reason to want to smile and laugh along with her.

~BBF

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Non-Verbal Communication

Hubby and I took Buddy to town with us last week and we decided to stop at Denny’s to get lunch.

I cannot tell you how much I love doing this.  Mostly because 7 years ago, doing something so basic as going to lunch with Buddy was something that would cause me major anxiety, and quite honestly, we just wouldn’t do it.

This is one of the goals that I have to credit his care giver for.  She has been phenomenal, I think it’s because she is a foodie and takes Buddy to all of her favorite restaurants. And now he is a foodie too!

Anyway,  we took Buddy to lunch at Denny’s and when we got there, we had a 5 minute wait.  I kept whispering to him, “You’re doing great” “We just have to wait a few minutes” “I am so proud of you”.

We get seated and I sit on the outside of the booth and he is on the inside.  As we order our food and wait, I have my arm around him and I keep telling him those same statements.   I also turned on Spotify, because as we all know, music can be magic to an autistic.

Our food comes and Buddy eats every bite and a few of mine too.  Then as we wait for the check, he puts his arms around me and pulls me so tight to him that my glasses almost fall off my face.  As he kisses my cheek, I hear it, not with my ears, but with my heart.

My non-verbal son, just said “Thank you Mom, I love when you take me to lunch, and I love you!”   as he held me and kissed me again, I felt him say “You’re doing great, I am so proud of you!”

As we drove home and I pondered this wonderful experience, it occurred to me he does this every time I take him to lunch.  I think we need to do it more often!

 

~ASM