Empowering Individuals. Building Confidence. Creating Memories. Supporting Independence. At Dreams With Wings, some of the most powerful stories come from the connections formed between the individuals we support and the people who walk beside them every day. Perfect example: the bond between Brittany Johnson , a longtime Community Living Support (CLS) worker, and her client—and friend— Triniti . What began as a simple student–teacher connection more than a decade ago has grown into a life-changing friendship filled with trust, joy, and shared adventures. Their journey together is a testament to the impact of compassionate support, the strength of genuine connection, and the extraordinary ways in which two lives can shape one another. Below, Brittany shares in her own words the story of how Triniti became not only her client, but truly part of her family. Meeting Triniti: A Connection From the Start I first met Triniti in 2012 at Churchill Park School. She was one of my students and quickly became one of my favorite kids to work with. I say all the time that we had an instant connection, and I didn't know then how big of an impact she would have on my life all these years later. Although Triniti has been my client at Dreams With Wings for over 12 years, I surely consider her family. Our bond is unique and she has become one of my best friends :) Adventures, Memories, and Community Fun It has been a pleasure to teach her, care for needs and make new memories each year. Triniti and I love a good adventure and enjoy getting out in the community. Although she may not be as verbal as others, she is definitely social! She loves meeting new people and always has a smile to share. Some of her favorite activities include: • Visiting the Louisville Zoo • Feeding the horses at Blackacre Farm • Swinging at the park • Shopping at Dollar Tree Our favorite treat stop is Crumbl Cookie! We also do lots of activities in my home. Triniti LOVES  music and dancing. We are always playing music videos (Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus are her faves) and watching Disney musicals. She also enjoys making crafts, cooking and playing with our cat, Kylo . Triniti also loves to be a helper! She has a BIG heart  and enjoys serving others. She has volunteered passing out candy at the Jack-o’-Lantern Stroll, and she helps to shop and donate items to our church's basic needs drive. Who’s the Lucky One? It’s always an honor to hear people say Triniti is lucky to have me in her life. But I can assure you, I am truly the lucky one . Her strength, hard work and upbeat attitude are inspiring. — Brittany Johnson (CLS Worker)

Whether you’ve joined us for some of these events or are just joining the journey, here’s what we have been up to, and what is on the horizon. We Went on Vacation to Patoka Lake and French Lick! This year’s adventure took us to beautiful French Lick and Patoka Lake, where perfect weather and great company made for an unforgettable trip! From trolley rides, shopping, and boating to a drive-through safari, every moment was full of fun and laughter. The friendly (and hungry!) ostriches were a definite highlight. We’re so grateful to share these joyful experiences that bring adventure and happiness to those we serve. Teen and Youth Scavenger City Fall Break Camp Early this fall, we hosted Scavenger City — a 5-day adventure camp designed especially for our Teen and Youth Dreamers! Each day, we explored a different part of our vibrant city, meeting local artists, connecting with community organizations, and diving into exciting hands-on activities. From inspiring visits to arts spaces to heart-pumping fun in unique city spots, every stop was an opportunity to collect memories for our camp scrapbook — a keepsake of the week’s journey. Dare to Dream Took Us Down the Yellow Brick Road Our 2025 Dare to Dream event, themed There is No Place Like Home, was nothing short of magical! Two hundred guests enjoyed a cocktail hour featuring drinks, appetizers, live entertainment, and a silent auction showcasing our clients’ artwork. As everyone moved inside for dinner, they were seated at beautifully decorated tables and enjoyed a delicious meal, an exciting live auction, and a moving family testimonial by Paul Eberenz and his sisters. The evening was filled with laughter and community spirit, and many said it wasn’t just our best event yet—it was one of the most memorable evenings they’ve attended all year!

Empowering Independence: A Spotlight on Connor at Dreams With Wings At Dreams With Wings, we believe every person deserves the chance to live a life filled with purpose. For our participants, that often means having the right support to move, grow, and stay active — both in our day programs and out in the community. That’s where Connor, our in-house physical therapist, comes in. His approach to therapy goes beyond exercises and mobility; it’s about building confidence, celebrating progress, and finding joy in every step forward. Spotlight on Connor Hicks, Physical Therapist We sat down with Connor to talk about what makes physical therapy at Dreams With Wings so special. DWW: Last month was PT Appreciation Month. How does physical therapy fit into your work here at Dreams With Wings? Connor : Well, first, a little background. I came from a world where I was working with people who might have injured themselves running or had outpatient surgery on a knee, shoulder, or foot. It was more of a rehabilitation role — treating musculoskeletal injuries. Here, it’s different. Many of our participants aren’t dealing with specific injuries. It’s about function — helping people with everyday activities: stepping out of a van, walking safely, or participating fully in day program activities and community outings. My focus isn’t on what’s “wrong” with them, but on what I can do to build on their strengths and improve their functionality. DWW : That seems really aligned with our mission of empowering people to live a life of purpose. Connor: Exactly. And it’s so rewarding when you see it in action. I remember going pumpkin picking with some participants — helping them navigate vines on the ground. For someone like Tina, who was the first client I worked with and has since graduated from therapy, she’s now able to stand longer, walk more confidently, and even continue exercises on her own. Seeing those moments of independence is incredible. DWW: Do you worry about skills regressing after participants leave therapy? Connor: There’s always a risk, sure. Focused therapy sessions are more effective, but once someone graduates, I still check in. The beauty of being in-house is that I can chat with participants daily, answer questions, and offer supplemental exercises. Even if they’re no longer on my caseload, I can support them — and those small wins, like leaving their cane behind for a day, are huge. DWW: Is this kind of in-house therapy common in day programs? Connor: Not really, from my experience. Most programs don’t have therapy staff just down the hall. We’re fortunate at Dreams With Wings to have an outstanding team — occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, speech therapists. Everyone works together, so if a participant needs therapy, it’s right there, easy to access, and part of their daily routine. DWW: Do you try to make exercises fun or interactive for participants? Connor: Absolutely. Some participants need incentives or gamification — like turning exercises into competitions or offering small rewards. Everyone is unique, so I get to know their personalities and motivations. For some, like Judy, they’re naturally motivated. For others, we need to be creative to make it enjoyable and relevant. DWW: Has that been a challenge for you? Connor : It has sparked creativity, for sure. In outpatient therapy, people come in because they’re in pain — motivation is clear. Here, many participants don’t feel pain, so we focus on long-term benefits, like being able to stand longer in church or navigate stairs safely. Seeing that progress over time is incredibly fulfilling. DWW: That makes sense. And having this in-house must make it easier to track progress and adjust exercises. Connor: Definitely. I have access to staff, participants, and records, so even if someone struggles to communicate their needs, I can piece together a plan. It’s challenging but also rewarding, because it makes me a better clinician. DWW: You’ve got a challenging position, but equally as rewarding, right? Connor: Oh, way more rewarding. The challenges push me to be more creative and to value each client’s perspective. Sometimes I’ll ask someone to do something that seems simple to me — like stepping over a cone — but I have to remember that, for them, it might not be simple at all. Maybe they’ve had a fall in the past and are afraid of navigating obstacles. Maybe they haven’t done something like that in years — even a decade. And for some participants, especially those who are not neurotypical, movement isn’t always straightforward. What feels small or easy to me might be a huge accomplishment for them. Working here has made me more introspective. It’s taught me to look at things from each person’s point of view — and honestly, that’s something we should all do more often as humans. So yes, it’s challenging, but in the best possible way. The challenges here aren’t about dealing with grumpy patients or difficult doctors. They’re about becoming a better clinician — and a better person — so I can better serve the people here. And really, those challenges are rewards in themselves. DWW: That’s incredible. It sounds like you’ve found a really meaningful fit here. Connor: I feel very lucky. The team, the participants, and the mission make it a wonderful place to work. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, and every day brings an opportunity to grow — both professionally and personally. At Dreams With Wings, we’re proud to have Connor on our team — not only for his expertise, but for the compassion and creativity he brings to every session. His work reminds us that progress isn’t just measured in steps or stretches, but in the freedom and joy those steps bring.