By
Brightway
Discover how the team at Brightway used personalized tools like social stories to help Alexa prepare for her favorite role yet: Maid of Honor.
Some of life’s most meaningful moments require more than anticipation; they require preparation, patience and a team that believes in the power of what’s possible. When Alexa was asked to be the maid of honor in her sister Dara’s wedding, the team at Brightway Living & Learning knew they had the opportunity to help make an unforgettable family milestone a reality.
For Alexa, who lives at a Brightway residence, standing beside her sister on one of the biggest days of her life was an honor she was happy to embrace. Her Brightway team immediately began planning, ensuring she would feel confident and prepared every step of the way.
Preparation began six months before the wedding. Members of Brightway’s psychology department created a personalized social story book that walked Alexa through every step of the wedding experience. A social story book is a personalized visual tool that breaks down social situations and routines into clear, reassuring steps to help people navigate new experiences with confidence and reduced anxiety. Together, staff and Alexa reviewed the book each week, helping her understand what the celebration would look like and what would be expected of her.
The preparation went far beyond reading. Staff brought each page of the story to life through hands-on practice, patiently rehearsing everything from tolerating hair and makeup appointments to walking arm-in-arm down the aisle. With encouragement, consistency and unwavering support, Alexa was able to step into her important role and proudly serve as her sister’s maid of honor, celebrating alongside family and friends on June 14th at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.
“Inclusion is our lifetime goal for Alexa. With appropriate planning, dreams can become reality. For us it was never a question as to if Alexa would walk down the aisle at her sister’s wedding. The only question was how to plan for that to happen,” said Sharon Sheinker, Alexa’s Mother.
At Brightway Living & Learning, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to fully participate in life’s biggest moments. By focusing on each individual’s goals and providing personalized support, we help create memories that families will cherish for a lifetime.
