The 2024 Bash – Supporting Participants & Families

We have an exciting evening planned just for YOU!

This evening is about changing the lives of participants and families. Creating a better quality of life for all because when you need special recreation you need it for a lifetime. As you enjoy the festivities, please open your hearts and wallets to support WDSRA participants and families.

Asking for Help Isn’t Easy – Rana & Ahmad Aquil

Asking for help isn’t always easy. Admitting you can’t do it alone makes you vulnerable. But reaching out for help makes you brave. When Rana realized her brother Ahmad needed more than she could give, she put aside her pride to give Ahmad what he needed most.

Rana has been taking care of Ahmad in one way or another since she was 12 years old. It just comes with having a sibling with an intellectual disability. Being 3 years older, Rana has watched Ahmad hit his milestones and become the happy, energetic person he is today. At 24-years-old, Ahmad is a genuine delight to be around.

With the passing of their father 5 years ago, Rana stepped into a new role to become Ahmad’s main caregiver. She was now sister and ‘parent’ managing everything from his day-to-day living needs to his overall health and wellbeing. That also included planning for his future needs. At just 27-years-old herself, that was an unbelievably huge undertaking.

Read their full story here.

It Could Happen to Anyone – Noah’s story

When COVID began, Dad’s sales job ended. Mom had her hands full as a stay-at-home mom taking care of a now 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old Noah*. Keeping some sense of normalcy for the children meant some hard choices had to be made.

Four years ago, Noah came to WDSRA. Inclusion services helped him connect with other children his own age. Noah is on the autism spectrum and has an expressive and receptive language disorder. It takes him a bit longer to process incoming messages or cues and it can be a challenge for him to express his outgoing messages to others. The one-on-one support he received through inclusion services was a tremendous help in his young development.

Then, in 2020, the world shut down due to COVID. Like many others during that time, Noah’s dad lost his job. The family income dried up. Savings went down and the family debt went up. Stability for her two children though, including therapies for Noah, couldn’t waiver. Sacrifices were made… a lot of sacrifices.

Read their full story here.

Donations are always welcome!