Best Buddies Citizens in Franklin County is looking for volunteers to join the program and build meaningful one-to-one friendships with adults with disabilities. By creating friendships between people with and without disabilities, Best Buddies Citizens fosters connection, community and confidence. The program is designed for adults 25 years and older who are looking for social connections and …
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For the past 39 years, communities nationwide have stepped up their inclusive events, activities, and messages during March in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Much progress has been made since that first observance in 1987. Franklin County DD encourages everyone—civic leaders, elected officials, employers, educators and others—to consider ways we can continue to build …
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Franklin County residents with developmental disabilities who want to be employed can look to many sources of support—their Franklin County DD service coordinators, providers, advocacy organizations and the state’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. But it’s also important to remember how much a person can accomplish on his or her own, Franklin County DD board …
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As the six-week parenting course drew to an end, Hilary Harlan realized that she and other members of the group weren’t ready to stop talking. “Getting to know different parents through that Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) was pretty awesome,” said Harlan, who has a 4-year-old son with developmental disabilities. “So when we got to …
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Samantha Perry had a great year of advocacy in 2025, including winning a Franklin County DD Community Star Award in the self-advocate category. Dateline caught up with Perry—known to her friends as Sam—during a recent meeting of the Franklin County DD Self-Advocate Advisory Council. She also was recognized last fall for contributing artwork to the …
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While shopping and walking around at a store recently, I once again used my superpower. It was amazing! Poof, I was invisible! My ability to remain unseen comes up so often that other superheroes like Batman or Superman could probably learn a thing or two from me. I think I am called to use my …
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Flashing lights approaching behind our vehicle give all of us a little jolt – no matter the situation. That anxiety is often amplified for drivers and passengers with disabilities, whose ability to communicate with police and other first responders may be affected by their disability. Thousands of Ohioans know this feeling – and a simple …
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Ask her the secret to 50 happy years of marriage, and Isabelle Laughrey will say there isn’t much of a secret. “Just love,” she said. “Love is the same in sickness and health; love is for everybody.” Laughrey and her husband, Clifford, recently celebrated their golden anniversary at a dinner party with friends, hugs, presents …
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Best Buddies Citizens, a program that fosters friendships between adults with and without developmental disabilities, is seeking volunteers without disabilities to connect with Franklin County residents in need of a match. “We have a lot of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are in our pipeline waiting for a one-to-one friendship,” said Shannon Wilson, …
Read More Recently someone asked why I don’t write more about great things that happen. While it’s true that I’m often pointing out things that aren’t so great, the reason is pretty simple. The bad, sad and negative things are anomalies – small blips in what is otherwise a happy life, one full of good people who …
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