By Ann Cipperly
As a child with special needs ages, the invitations for birthday parties and play times disappear. After they graduate, there is almost nothing for them to do or places to go. The Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama changes the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities by giving them activities, purpose, places to visit, and friendships. Plans are underway to expand and bring two locations under one roof with a new building project.
Founded in 2017, the Exceptional Foundation currently has two locations serving almost a hundred individuals 18 and older. The program provides individuals with various social, recreational, and educational activities that support social relationships.
“When my son Hal was born with Down syndrome,” says co-founder Samantha Bradshaw, “I really didn’t know anyone who had children with disabilities. Friends connected me with Ashley Benson, Penny Foster, and OuidaLawrence, who also had babies with downs. We would have coffee and talk about what we were going to do with our children. Originally, we were concerned about where they would live when we died.”
After the four mothers started a Bible study, they decided a day program was the best first step. They had no idea how many children needed this service. When they began in 2012, the program was called “Blessings on the Plains.”
The mothers researched other facilities and found the Exceptional Foundation in Birmingham, which offered a franchise. They switched the name to the Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama in 2016 and opened in 2017. The Birmingham Foundation handled the procedures and policies, while the East Alabama Foundation has its own 501c3under its umbrella.
The program opened with a location in the basement of the former Health Plus. In the fall of 2023, a second location opened at Airport Plaza in Auburn.
While all four original mothers have served on the board, Samatha leads the development and fundraising. Drew Parent Speakman became executive director in April 2023.
When Drew was approached about the position, she was working as the children’s director at First Methodist Church in Opelika. “It interested me because I had walked that walk with my sister,” she says, “and I have a love of children with special needs.”
Drew has seen firsthand what families experience with a special needs child. Her sister’s daughter, Kathleen, was born with Down syndrome just as Drew was starting college. “She was like my baby,” she says. “I fell in love with her.
“It was easier when Kathleen was little, but then, past middle school age, she wasn’t invited to parties anymore. She didn’t have friendships and didn’t have community. I saw how much of that fell on my sister and her family.”
Participants attending the program have one of 16 different disabilities. When most students with disabilities finish high school, they don’t have anything to do or anywhere to go. They are isolated. People don’t think about how it affectsthem and their families when they are out of school. The program gives participants a purpose.
“It breaks my heart to think of somebody sitting home watching television with nothing to do,” Drew says. “We are their whole world. Here, they have purpose, friends, and community. When they are not here, they do nothing.”
“That is why we try to give them such wonderful experiences while they are here,” adds Samantha. “This is everything to them. Their world is so small, and being here opens up their world. About 75 percent would sit and never do anything if they were not here.”
A majority of those who attend can’t stay home by themselves. Parents rely on the program in order to work.
Drew, Samantha, and the foundation board realized a need for more of a college prep program held at the Airport Plaza location. “While this program is similar to our existing program,” says Drew, “it has more of a college atmosphere for those just after high school. The typical age is 21, but we have some 18-year-olds. The program is called ‘Be Blessed’ and is for those looking for more of a college-type experience.”
The individuals in this program focus each month on majors, including education, athletics, agriculture, hospitality, finance, health, science, engineering, animal science, and fine art.
The “Be Blessed” college program takes a break during summer, and the space becomes Camp Grow for children ages 6 through 12 with disabilities. They attend three days a week during the summer.
When Samantha was visiting places for those with special needs, she discovered the Mustard Seed in Jackson, Mississippi, where participants were painting pottery. She thought it was a great idea as the participants found joy and therapeutic benefits in the creative activity.
Ceramics is one of the activities at both programs. They hand-paint items; each piece is tagged with the person’s name, giving them a sense of accomplishment. The kiln is in Samantha’s garage.
“They are making something that is valued,” says Drew. “It is a big deal to have something of value they createdthat people can buy.”
While the program holds pop-up sales for the ceramics all year, many items are sold the week before Thanksgiving at their Christmas market called Meg’s Market. The market is held at the Airport Plaza location.
The ceramic items can be purchased anytime online at Etsy and shipped. All proceeds go back into the program to help pay for others to attend. Since the program is nonprofit, parents only pay about half of what it costs to attend, but everyone can’t afford it.
For the participants to have new experiences, educational and recreation activities, and age-appropriate field trips are planned. Talented people in the community will teach a skill, and magicians and comedians will visit to entertain. Participants have dance lessons, play basketball, and go swimming. “We are always looking for activities to get them out and connected with those in the community,” says Samantha.
“We need time, talent and treasure,” she adds. “If someone doesn’t have funds to donate, they can give time. We are always looking for talented individuals. If you are an artist, come and paint with our participants.”
While participants are enjoying activities and field trips, they develop friendships. The program is a place to find a friend and be a friend. Smanatha’s son, who is 18 years old, has a close friend who is much older, and they enjoy doing things together.
The program could not exist without corporate sponsors, donations from the community, and fundraising. Their biggest fundraiser is Tiger, Toddies, and Tailgate, scheduled for Oct. 26 at Dr. Thorn’s farm on Hamilton Road. The outdoor tailgate party has a large screen showing the Auburn football game. Billy Lee caters, and they have a live auction.
Land for a new building has been donated to combine both programs in one place. “We want to provide more, but we are limited with our space until we can build,” says Samantha. “Even though parents are only charged half the amount, everyone can’t pay that. We need people who want to donate tuition for some to attend.”
There are requirements to be able to attend the program. An online application is available on their website. “Wewould love to expand and take everybody,” says Samantha, “but don’t have the resources. We wish we could provide more, but we need a bigger building. We can’t take everyone now, but hopefully we can later.”
The program has 22 staff members, and most of them have a family member with a disability or have a degree that works with those with special needs—the program partners with nursing students invited to visit and get to know the participants.
“The more we are around these students,” says Drew, “we are inspired as they do their best with what they are given. We complain about things, and they hardly ever do. They make me a better person, and I am much more hesitant to complain about anything. They never feel sorry for themselves. They just do their best with what they are given.
“The idea that we are blessing our students with a place, but they are blessing us as they have such pure hearts.”
“Before my son was born,” Samanta says, “I had never thought about what someone does with disabilities after high school. People don’t think about it. With disabilities, they can’t be left alone, so parents have to get someone to stay with them, or they can’t work.
“I feel they get the short end of the stick everywhere,” Samantha adds. “We want to create a place where they feel important. We want to celebrate them every day. We had a lot of faith from the beginning. Every dollar donated helpsmake our community better for everyone.”
“Being here is such a blessing to me,” says Drew. “It enriches my life in many ways. It is fun work. Every day is different. I leave here every day blessed.
“They remind me to appreciate the little things. They are loving and pure at heart and help me see the world better. It is easy to work hard for them because they are worth every minute. It is such a joy.”
For additional information, go to www.efofea.org.
