My son Brian is 18 years old and has Autism. He has an identical twin brother Bob. Brian was looking for a social and recreational group for teens with disabilities in the state of Maryland. Upon doing lots of research, he was able to find nothing. There were groups that focused on sports, the arts, and other items, but nothing that was diversified. After a lot of disappointment and frustration, he decided to start his own group, The Disability Express Group. The Group started with Brian and his brother, and 2 friends, this past August 2013. As of today, the Group has 17 members and is still growing. They have had such events as a car wash fund raiser, painted pottery, adopted a local middle school and raised money to promote anti-bullying education, a karate event, gone to the movies, gone out to lunch, learned archery, created their own t-shirts with the Group logo, gone holiday shopping, ice skating, a haunted house and hayride, and a variety of other fun activities. All activities are voted on by the Group, so no one person decides anything, every item is a Group decision. The Group raises money on its own to fund their events. These teens all have disabilities (most with autism, but all disabilities are welcome) and this Group of teens has given back to the community in many ways. I am so very impressed by the creativity, dedication and determination of the members of this Group. Truly a "special" group of teens.

Sharon Nobles
New Windsor, MD