By: Madison Rosenberg, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
MULLICA HILL, NJ – The promise of accessibility is a no-brainer for From We Can’t to We Can, and their Spring Fling Easter egg hunt delivered on inclusivity while mourning the loss of the organization’s inspiration.
From We Can’t to We Can is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Trinity Jagdeo, who dedicated herself to creating representation and promoting inclusion for children with disabilities and their families. The nonprofit hosts several events throughout the year to cultivate an accessible environment where disabled children can participate and play without judgment or worry. The Spring Fling is the organization’s first event of the year, and families were eager to participate.
For children with disabilities, it can be hard to take part in events that are typically not made accessible to them. For parents of disabled children, it can be even more difficult to find accessible activities where they know their child will be taken care of or treated equally.
Angie Tarr, a South Jersey resident attending the event with her adult son Angelus, says that as her son gets older, she becomes more grateful for activities that include all ages.
Accessibility means the world because it’s hard to find something that allows our children to be themselves,” Tarr said. “This type of event, no matter the age, there’s a comfortability. He can find his niche here. We found this program, and it’s been wonderful.”
Another South Jersey parent, Nicole Fimple, said that it was a relief to see her son let loose and play without judgment from others.
“We don’t have to worry about anything. He can come in just like anyone else and can do whatever he wants,” Fimple said. “Everything’s provided, and there’s no issues. He has a blast.”
From We Can’t to We Can pulled out all the stops so attendees could get the most out of their experience. The event included a trading station for Easter egg prizes, so children who couldn’t use the items they collected from the Easter eggs for reasons such as allergies could turn in their eggs for a toy. Easter Bunny photos, free food, music, a station where families could take pictures with a background and props, and even a micro petting zoo with two mini goats.
The Easter egg hunt was the main event and the biggest hit. Within minutes, most of the Easter eggs had been claimed. The magnetic eggs and sticks allowed children with physical disabilities to have an equal opportunity to overflow their baskets.
Volunteers of all kinds, ranging from high schoolers to a small team of Amazon employees, were pitching in to ensure that the day ran smoothly.
The board members of From We Can’t to We Can do all the heavy lifting, organizing and facilitating all events, including the Spring Fling, displaying their passion for advocacy through community building.
“I think the moment an event kicks off and seeing the joy means everything,” said Paula Ferrari, the Fundraising and Sponsorship Chair for the foundation. “Sometimes even going to a birthday or a barbecue can be so much work. You have to play lifeguard. I see the parents be able to relax and have fun, even just for a couple of hours.”
Ferrari has a son with Down syndrome and says these events have helped him make friends and come into his own, and that the family gets quality time together.
Other board members are steadfast in their belief that accessibility and inclusivity should be a bigger priority, not just for events, but in general.
“Everyone deserves to be happy”, said the foundation’s program director, Delaney Bowman. “If that means making some adjustments to a typical event, like having less chairs at a table because we need to fit a wheelchair in, that’s okay. It’s not a burden to be inclusive or accessible. It should be the standard. Everyone deserves to have a normal experience, and if this is their normal, then that’s how that should be.”
TJ Edmund, the organization’s Communications Manager, says his firsthand experience with cerebral palsy gives him an extra level of knowledge and empathy that contributes to the mission of From We Can’t to We Can.
“I think my firsthand experiences give me an empathetic advantage, and that’s really important to me,” said Edmund. “When I was growing up, nothing like this existed. I speak to families all the time, and they tell me how transformative this is. This might be the only organization that understands their children, and to offer that level of comfort to them, I think that’s what keeps them coming back.”
Amidst all the celebrations, activities, and good food, the passing of Alexus Dick, the reason for From We Can’t to We Can’s creation, hung heavy on the minds of its board members. Trinity Jagdeo, the organization’s founder and Dick’s best friend, was not at the Spring Fling so she could take time to grieve. Dick had Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and inspired Jagdeo to start From We Can’t to We Can at just 17 years old. The pair were inseparable since kindergarten. The loss of Dick shook the members of From We Can’t to We Can, but their resilience and determination to continue Jageo’s mission and honor Dick’s legacy stand strong.
“Alexus was remarkable,” said Edmund. “Through it all, she had strength and resilience and tenacity. Her physical presence is no longer there, but to know that her spirit lives on is reassuring and brings me comfort.”
Ferrari says that Dick’s passing rocked the nonprofit, but reignited them to push harder.
“It put things in perspective,” said Ferrari. “Whenever there’s any type of loss, it makes you reevaluate the lens you look at things through, and motivates you to work a little harder.”
Although Bowman did not personally meet Dick, she said her thoughts were with Jagdeo, and she would put her best effort into honoring the legacy that Jagdeo is creating for herself and the foundation.
“This is Trinity’s way of being a good friend to Alexus,” Bowman said. “Even though I didn’t know her, I’m still very sad. We’re a little lost without Trinity, but we’re problem-solving. I think we really try to keep her presence here, very hard. I think she would want us to be making sure everyone’s happy. That’s the goal.”
All pictures by Madison Rosenberg.
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