Recently, Indiana learned the devastating news that 15-year-old Jeffrey Epps, a nonverbal autistic teenager, was found deceased after wandering from home in Baldwin County, Georgia. His death appears accidental, but it reveals a deeper truth that families like his live with every single day: the world is not yet built for their children. Parents of…
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month WHERE IT BEGAN October invites us to reflect on what inclusion truly means—not as a slogan, but as a practice of care, compassion, and thoughtful design. This month, as we celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I want to share the personal story that inspired the Safe Parks Plus…
On July 2, an Indiana mother opened the letter she had dreaded. Medicaid had denied the waiver services her son depended on for nursing care. Her choices were unthinkable: quit her job to provide care full-time or risk her child’s health without the support they’d been promised. This is what “policy change” looks like—not in…
Mike Dunn’s Story – Since I was young, I have always had a desire to be as independent as I possibly can be. As I approached adulthood, I had a strong desire to work. I am reminded of the song from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, “Hi ho hi ho, it’s off to work…
We are excited to share that we are launching a new blog, “A Time for Hope” – A Community for Families Navigating Disability, in partnership with Marya Patrice Sherron. Marya serves on The Arc of Indiana’s board of directors and is the mother of two amazing children with disabilities. This space will feature personal stories,…