It Takes a Village... Even at a Water Park

 Planning anything for Desi Moms Network can be tricky. With families raising children with disabilities, so many things are unpredictable. 

Neurotypical families can plan outings weeks in advance. Our families don't always have that luxury. Things can go downhill without any warning. Plans can change in an instant.

Yet I keep dreaming. I keep planning.Because our families deserve these experiences, too.

Last year, I dared to dream. For the first time, I organized a group trip to Canobie Lake Park. It was a wonderful day and a huge success. But I also learned that the park was simply too big for our group.

This year, I wanted to try something different. So I chose Water Country in Portsmouth NH as our end-of-the-school-year celebration.

Planning started almost two months ago. The Water Country team was very helpful with all the questions, logistics and a group discount, but what meant even more was knowing there was someone on their team looking out for us. 

I picked the last Sunday in June, hoping for a warm day. Had spots for 115 people. Two families had to cancel, two families from the waiting list happily took their places, and we were ready for a fun-filled Sunday.

The park opened at 10 a.m. Some families were waiting when the gates opened, while others arrived later. But timing didn't matter. Everyone came ready to enjoy the day. 

One improvement from last year made everything much smoother. Our contact, Vicky, emailed each family their admission tickets ahead of time, so we didn't have to stand at the entrance waiting for everyone to arrive.

She also reserved a large picnic area for us—more than twenty five picnic tables surrounded by trees. That space became the heart of our day.

More than 115 people dropped off their bags, unpacked lunches and snacks, and came and went throughout the day. It became our meeting place, our resting place, our "Where are you?" place, our "Let's have lunch together" place, and sometimes simply a quiet place to take a break.

For most of these families, this was their very first visit to this water park.

Watching our village come alive was the best part of my day.

There was always another family to cheer someone on. Another child encouraging a friend. Parents took rides with their own children, with someone else's child, or alongside another family. Nobody felt alone.

It was laughter, splashing, cheering, and giggles everywhere.

The happy photos and smiling faces will tell the stories of the day. The children were completely exhausted—but almost none of them wanted to leave when it was time to go home.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect—not too hot, not too cold.

Some days, despite all the uncertainty, everything simply comes together.

Today was one of those days.

It reminded me once again that we are a village. And when a village shows up for one another, beautiful things happen.

it wasn't just a day at a water park—it was a day where no family had to do it alone. 

Pandey's left home at 8.15 AM- hour and half drive and someone was ready to have fun. 

My partner in crime - we were there right on time to welcome families. 

The Team

Vicky, We are so grateful for all your help.

The dad gang, I heard the stories of dads asking one another in wave pool - are you are Desi moms group :) so many families met each other for the first time.

41 Years of Service, A Lifetime of Impact - Diane you will be missed !!!

How do you sum up 41 years of legacy in one evening? The farewell evening for Diane was a true testament to her personality. The passion, compassion, empathy, and drive to serve the disability community are hard to capture in words

I witnessed how amazing that legacy is over the last few years while serving on the Advocates Board. At every board meeting, I learned something from Diane Gould. She has dedicated 41 years of service to Advocates, including 13 years as CEO and many years before that as COO.

One thing I heard repeatedly from everyone was how humble, calm, and genuine she is—even in the midst of a crisis. No matter what challenges came her way, Diane never seemed to lose her composure. She guided the organization through turbulent times with an unwavering smile, attention to detail, and an incredible ability to work with anybody and everybody.

Diane is one of the best listeners I have ever come across. When she is with you, she gives you her full attention and genuinely wants to make you feel heard and understood. That is something I would love to take away from her example.

As a board member, I always found Diane approachable and collaborative. She listened to everyone's ideas, carefully considered different perspectives, and then made thoughtful decisions. I noticed in every meeting how patient she was, even when there were many opinions around the table. She always seemed to find the right words to answer difficult questions.

Her farewell party was filled with laughter, tears, gratitude, and praise. People from all parts of the disability community came together to give her a standing ovation. Speaker after speaker shared stories about her leadership, kindness, and how she was always there when someone needed her.

The most remarkable thing was that every person said something similar: Diane is truly one of a kind.

Diane, you will be deeply missed. I hope you enjoy a well-deserved retirement. In the meantime, the rest of us will learn how to carry forward the values and spirit you brought to Advocates every day. 

    A Kanjivaram silk for the evening—a gift from a family in Desi Moms Network. The evening shower cooled the temperature, so I could wear this beautiful saree as a tribute to a woman whose legacy we will cherish for years to come.

This Is Where I Belong - Unified theatre program

Last night, the Hopkinton Unified Arts Theatre Program put on another outstanding show. More than 20 performers with disabilities took the stage, supported by 10 dedicated volunteers who helped bring out the very best in them. Dressed in red, white, pink, and black, they performed around the theme Put a Little Love in your heart.- https://www.hopartscenter.org/adaptivearts

One of the songs performed was This Is Where I Belong, and as I sat in the audience, I thought it was the perfect title for this blog. 

The program is directed by Libby Litt, who has been leading Unified Theatre for many years. We learned about the program last year and joined the session that began in October. After just a few weeks of practice, the group presented its first show in December. Anand quickly discovered that he did not feel comfortable being a performer. Singing and dancing on stage were not for him. But he found his own place in the program—as an Associate Director. He happily helped Libby with backstage preparation, administrative tasks, and anything else that needed to be done. He is incredibly proud of his title and takes his responsibilities very seriously.

After a short break, the next session began in March, and last night was the first show of the season. Anand could hardly wait. Not because he wanted to perform, but because he wanted to be there, helping, organizing, and being Libby's right hand. I am not sure what he loves more—the Unified Theatre program or Libby herself.

But this story is not really about Anand.

It is about every young person who stood on that stage Last night.

They learned the lyrics. They practiced the songs. They worked together as a team. When the music started, they gave it their all. The audience cheered them on every step of the way.

They looked beautiful, dressed up for their special night. They were smiling, shining, and enjoying every moment. what touched me most was that every single one of them looked happy to be there. They belonged.

A tremendous amount of credit goes to Libby and the volunteers. From selecting songs to rehearsals, from backstage support to helping performers feel confident on stage, they created an environment where everyone could succeed. Their patience, encouragement, and dedication made the evening possible.

As a parent, I cannot express how grateful I am. Whether a child is singing, dancing, helping backstage, or serving as an Associate Director, programs like this give our kids something priceless—a place where they are accepted, valued, and celebrated.

Tonight, as I watched Anand enjoying himself and watched all the performers shine, one thought stayed with me:

This is where they belong.

the amazing volunteers

See the background pic