I created this design to celebrate my daughter, Isla, who has CHARGE syndrome, and her infamous response to just about everything: ?OKAY!?

Each symbol represents something special about her ? pieces of who she is, what she loves, how she moves through the world, and what I hope more people, disabled and not, have the chance to see, learn and know about her.

Because that chance matters.

When people with and without disabilities genuinely know one another, something changes on both sides. Difference becomes less abstract. Assumptions get replaced by actual relationships. Our worlds get a little bigger.

That?s a huge part of what Best Buddies creates every day: opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build friendships, find meaningful employment, develop leadership skills, and be known as whole, interesting, individual people.

And it?s why I?m so proud to be fundraising for Best Buddies Maine. Every piece of ?OKAY!? merch purchased supports my campaign to raise $5,000 for Best Buddies Maine ? helping create more opportunities for friendship, connection, belonging, and all the good things that happen when different worlds get to know each other.

Wear it for Isla. Wear it for Best Buddies. Wear it as a little reminder that there?s a whole lot to learn when we make room to know one another, OKAY?