Two Austin Moms Spread Inclusion Message With Videos and Launch a Nonprofit

AUSTIN, Texas, April 2, 2019 (Newswire.com) - Special with a Side of Mom, an Austin, Texas-based organization focused on special needs inclusion, has officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

They officially launched on Jan. 16, 2019. The two Austin moms, Jamie de Grasse and Pam Shipley, started a video blog to spread awareness of the severe sides of autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other conditions. 

Jamie’s son, Damien, is non-verbal and on the severe side of the autism spectrum, while Pam’s daughter, Ava, is non-verbal with dyskinetic cerebral palsy and has high support needs. They each have additional children and try to find a good balance.

Since January, they’ve gained thousands of followers on Facebook, and hundreds of thousands of views on their videos as they work to spread disability awareness and inclusion.

“We started as a video blog to help bring humor and awareness to disability inclusion. When we started gaining traction, we realized that we could do so much more,” said co-founder, Jamie de Grasse. “Our nonprofit status is one of the most exciting things that’s happened for us in building this community of support.”

Special with a Side of Mom now uses inclusion events, social gatherings, website applications, and social media platforms to reach caregivers and parents. The nonprofit is also partnering with local organizations, employers, sports and recreational teams to provide inclusive systems to benefit all members of society. Jamie and Pam also host a support group for other parents in the SW Austin/Dripping Springs area called “Special with a Side of Coffee.” 

The organization’s mission is to spread disability inclusion awareness in education, sports, community and the workplace to all members of society regardless of their abilities.

As a nonprofit organization under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3), donors can deduct contributions that they make to the organization. It also means that Special with a Side of Mom is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.

To learn more about their mission and nonprofit status, visit https://specialwithasideofmom.com.

Source: Special with a Side of Mom