Imagine being able to start a meaningful conversation, build community relationships, and inspire advocacy all through a t-shirt! Say Hello Threads did just that. As many of you know, I had the honor and privilege of leaving the hospital nursing world and becoming a Special Needs School Nurse. Being a Special Needs parent myself, my heart was fully invested in this journey. Every day, my little guy Max arrives to school with an unbelievable amount of medical equipment. Every day, each parent in the drop-off line watches his family members and me unload all of his equipment to a WonderFold Wagon. Max and his story are beyond incredible. Max was born at just 28 weeks at home on the bathroom floor. Max spent the first 10 months of his life in the NICU. His NICU nurse was the most incredible woman. Little did Max know that nurse would end up having the honor of becoming his mom! After 972 days in foster care, Max was adopted into the most beautiful family. It takes a village to raise a child with Special Needs, and this family has the best village. 

Now, this is where the T-shirt connection starts. Ashley (Max's mom) came to school one day to drop him off and Say Hello Threads t-shirts did exactly what it was supposed to do, it started a conversation, strengthened our relationship, and encouraged each of us to tell the world more about our journeys. Ashley's t-shirt said, "Instead of don't stare, let's start teaching, 'Say Hello'." That shirt hit me hard. Everyone is always curious when they see Special Needs individuals, they are just not sure how they should behave or interact. Most people want to ask questions, some people want to stop and talk, and some people just aren't sure how to begin that conversation. This shirt was literally the icebreaker. I immediately of course asked where she got that t-shirt. SAY HELLO THREADS!! She proceeded to tell me about her favorite shirt ever from their website. That shirt touched my heart. The saying stated, "My child is non-verbal, but his mama ain't." I wished I had that shirt while my son Darren was growing up. Darren was non-verbal for a number of years, and while some of the world understood our life, most of the world did not.

Once I got home from work that day, I had to get on their website and learn who these people were. Immediately, an order was placed to get some t-shirts. Through that order I placed, Say Hello Threads got introduced to Sweet Darren's. Justin and I had the honor of connecting with Alana and Lindsay, the owners of Say Hello Threads! Sweet Darren's would love to share Say Hello Threads Story! There are so many businesses just like ours all over the world, and networking with so many of them has been an incredible experience. If you are not following Say Hello Threads, you should be!! These two ladies are absolutely incredible. Now here is their story!