By Karley Freeman
Night to Shine is a nonprofit organization by the Tim Tebow Foundation. This year, there are 50 states, 11 countries, and more than 300 churches hosting a prom for individuals that are special needs starting from ages 14 and older.
Night to Shine is an experience that God’s love is centered on for all of these individuals.
This prom is an opportunity to give these individuals the feeling of being wanted and loved. It’s not that they are not already, just some people do not really understand their wants and their needs. Some people do not understand the difficulties they go through and the limited opportunities they are given.
Although many high schools that have proms, and the individuals that have special needs are allowed to attend, but is it a real fun experience for them like it is for any other individual?
I have a brother, Parker Freeman, who has a developmental disorder, which includes gross, fine, and oral motor delays, as well as processing delays. His receptive language is good, but he struggles with expressive language, due to the processing problems. His symptoms are similar to Autism, but he does not meet the criteria.
Parker is 18 years old and he will be attending Night to Shine for the first time in Ardmore on Feb. 10, 2017.
“On a daily basis they don’t get the wants and the needs they should get. It’s an opportunity to feel loved and have support at a community level.” Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Darner said. “I see the struggles they go through. They don’t have opportunities to feel love or express their individual talents to the general public. You get to know people by spending time with them.”
I believe Night to Shine will make a huge impact on all of the guests attending. Night to Shine will make them feel like princes and princesses. This is so important to me because Parker never really has opportunities to go out and have fun with others like him.
Parker has been a part of Special Olympics every year since 2011, but other than that he hasn’t had any other opportunities. There are so many challenges for him and others with special needs to overcome that affect their self-esteem, plus they don’t really get to participate in the prom that is sponsored through high school.
So this is a time to help them feel special. To help them receive their wants and their needs.
“In general, people are hesitant to get to know someone they don’t understand,” Darner said. “Night to Shine provides a fun environment embraced with love that allows people to create connections that will go beyond one night and will allow them to embrace individuals with special needs in the community.”
Night to Shine is more than just a prom and it’s more than just a night. Night to Shine is an organization to put a smile on an individual with special needs.