FRIENDLY FACES sean spreads joy
W hen my kids were little, we drove past the alpaca farm on Allaire Road more times than I could count. There was a gentleman named Matt who would sit on the bridge, fishing. Every single car that passed got a wave and the biggest, warmest smile. In those long days of raising young children, that smile was a quiet boost. It gave me a little patience, a little more energy. There is something about a genuine smile that can shift your entire day. Recently, I met someone who has that same gift. His name is Sean, and getting a wave and his smile is like dropping a pebble into still water. You feel the ripple. And the joy spreads. A RIPPLE EFFECT Sean is part of the Blue Dot Community, a local organization that supports adults with disabilities through programming focused on independence, inclusion, and giving back. Its mission centers on building meaningful connections and contributions, not just within the group, but in the wider world. About a year ago, Blue Dot encouraged Sean to try journaling as a way to organize his thoughts. Those journals turned into a blog, and one of Sean’s entries turned into an idea for a T-shirt design. His aunt and uncle, who
KATIE SCHRADER - EDITOR
Photo by Chrissy D’Amico
20 July 2025
Stroll Spring Lake 21
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker