Embrace Abilities

04/14/2026

Join us tonight at Chandeleur Island Brewing Company for a giveback night benefiting Embrace Abilities, featuring live music from Katie Jones Music beginning at 6 PM.

From 4 to 9 PM, $1 from every pint sold will support Embrace Abilities and help us continue offering free programs for children and young adults with different abilities and their families.

Support from nights like this helps fund inclusive events, sensory-friendly experiences, caregiver and sibling support, and opportunities for families to connect, build community, and feel supported without the barrier of cost. Our team will be there from approximately 6 to 8 PM, so come hang out, enjoy the music, and say hi.

04/12/2026

A little look at today’s park meetup season kickoff at the splash pad in Gautier. 💙

So much fun, sweet moments, and the kind of connection that keeps bringing families together.

We’re excited to do it again soon.

04/12/2026

We kicked off park meetup season today at George Martin Park in Gautier with our Parent Ambassador-led meetup, hosted by board members Angela Herman and Maryjo Bullock.

These park meetups will always be special to us because this is how Embrace Abilities began back in spring 2024. It’s hard to believe we’re already heading into our third year of gathering at the park, making memories, and building connections with families across our community.

Today was filled with so much of what makes these meetups meaningful: kids sharing, parents connecting through good conversation, and even new faces who weren’t there for the meetup but still fell right into place with us. We love seeing families feel welcome the moment they arrive.

If you took any photos today, drop them in the comments. We’d love to see them.

04/11/2026

During Autism Acceptance Month, conversations about inclusion also need to include safety.

According to the National Autism Association, nearly 50% of autistic children may wander or elope from a safe environment, and accidental drowning accounts for 71% of deaths in children with autism who wander. Those numbers are heartbreaking, and they are exactly why programs like Swimming to Survive matter.

We’re proud to support their work and help expand access to tools that can make water experiences safer and more comfortable for autistic children and other children with sensory needs. As a Certified Autism Resource, Frogglez goggles are one small but meaningful way to reduce barriers and support confidence in the water.

At Embrace Abilities, our mission is rooted in inclusion, access, and practical support for families. Supporting community partners like Swimming to Survive is one way we help make that mission real.

We are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of Embrace Abilities💙

Because of their support, over 70 pairs of Frogglez goggles have been donated to our Swimming to Survive scholarship recipients, giving our swimmers not just gear, but confidence, comfort, and a better experience in the water.

Embrace Abilities is a parent-led nonprofit right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, creating a more inclusive and supportive community for children and young adults with different abilities, and the families who love them. Their heart for these kids aligns so deeply with our mission.

At Swimming to Survive, many of our swimmers are experiencing the water in a whole new way. Having goggles that actually fit, stay on, and feel comfortable can make all the difference, especially for children with sensory sensitivities.

This is more than a donation.
It’s impact.
It’s inclusion.
It’s community showing up for our kids.

Thank you, Embrace Abilities, for helping us continue to make water safety accessible for every child. 🫶

04/11/2026

Join Angela and Maryjo at George Martin Park tomorrow for our Parent Ambassador-Led Meetup.

We’ll be there Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Gautier for a free afternoon where kids can play and caregivers can connect.

This is a great chance to spend time with other families, enjoy the park, and cool off since the splash pad is open for the season.

George Martin Park has a playground, paved paths, wheelchair-accessible seating and tables, a fenced-in area, and nearby parking. Bring snacks, towels, sunscreen, and anything your child may need for outdoor play. When you arrive, check in at the meetup area and use the QR code to sign in.

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/953612367635263

04/11/2026

04/11/2026

Thank you to the families who joined us for Grounds for Support today.

This morning gave families space for honest conversation, practical resources, and connection with others who understand the challenges that can come with advocating for and supporting a child with different needs. We hope those who attended left feeling more informed, better equipped to navigate difficult situations before they turn into a crisis, and more confident in advocating for their children.

Thank you to Leslie and Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (MSPTI) for sharing valuable information, toolkits, and educational books with our families. We’re also grateful to A Latte Friends for bringing the coffee cart and to The Arc for allowing us to use their space again.

We’ll be sending shared resources to attendees by email once we receive them. We’re thankful for the families and partners who made today possible.

04/11/2026

If you’ve been on the fence about coming to Grounds for Support this morning and can make it to The Arc by 9:30, I’d encourage you to come. Leslie has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to IEPs, advocacy, and knowing your rights as a parent or caregiver. If you’ve never heard her speak before, you do not want to miss this.

Registration is closed so we could finalize toolkits, coffee, and food, so we can’t promise extras at this point. But if you’re able to make it, you’re still welcome to join us.

Looking forward to a good morning of learning, support, and conversation. See y’all soon.

04/10/2026

Grief is not always about death. Sometimes it is about grieving the expectations, plans, or version of life you thought would be.

For many parents and caregivers, that grief can show up alongside love, resilience, adjustment, and learning how to move forward in a new way.

That is part of what we make space for in Embrace the Journey, our grief and community support group.

Registration closes tomorrow night at 6 PM.

https://embraceabilitiesms.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/373206

📸: Self-Love Rainbow