Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Inclusion is good! See how United Ability changed Theo’s life + get one of these T-shirts now
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Theo Studstill is a five-year-old in United Ability’s Hand In Hand program who loves his teachers, classmates and dancing. For his family, United Ability has almost been too good to be true, serving as a welcoming and inclusive community.
Keep reading for the Studstill’s story and how you can help more families like them when you order the 2024 “Inclusion is Good” T-shirt.
Meet the Studstills
Knowing their son Theo would be born with Down syndrome, Jon and Miranda were checking out resources in Birmingham and discovered the Hand In Hand program.
They toured the facility, quickly fell in love with it and applied on the same day.
Clearly, it was the right choice. When I visited Theo’s classroom, he was front and center during dance time and all his friends wanted to be next to him.
“When we drop him off every morning, I feel like I’m with a celebrity—he’s getting hugs and high-fives and just lights up. I completely trust that he has a good time.
To have that security and to know he’s in good hands lets us focus on the other things we need to do.”
Miranda Studstill
All parents want the world for their children—they want to know that they are being included and welcomed, as well as learning valuable things.
The Studstills have never doubted the Hand In Hand staff’s abilities.
“Every year with Theo’s teachers we’re like, ‘how can we top this?’ They’re all equally great, but they’re great in different ways.
What they unlock in Theo and what they bring to light for him is incredible.”
Miranda Studstill
Inclusion is good
Envisioning “possibility beyond disability,” United Ability serves as a cornerstone for people with disabilities to get connected within Greater Birmingham.
In 2022, United Ability took their mission to the next level and started a partnership with Life is Good.
When I spoke to the Life is Good team, they explained how they’re always looking to work with people who mirror their values.
“Our mission is to spread the power of optimism. We always look to work with people who share those same values and United Ability was just a perfect partner.
We created this one-of-a-kind design that focused on positivity, specifically for this collaboration.”
Stacy Russ, Director of Licensing, Life is Good
The “Inclusion is Good” T-shirt features the OG Life is Good characters that we all know and love—Jake is roasting hot dogs while Jackie plays her guitar.
“This graphic shows our original Life is Good characters and I think that’s a good conversation starter. People say, ‘Oh, that’s Life is Good!’ Then hopefully start talking about United Ability.”
Deni Lojko, Partnerships Manager, Life is Good
Order your “Inclusion is Good” T-shirt now or find it at your closest Alabama Outdoors:
- Homewood: 3054 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Inverness: 108 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham, AL 35242
- Trussville: 5467 Patrick Way Suite 101, Birmingham, AL 35235
Show your support on United Ability Day, May 10
Join the United Ability team in embracing diversity and encouraging real connections, as Life is Good beautifully presents.
Here’s how you can help further this mission:
- Order an “Inclusion is Good” T-shirt or find it at your closest Alabama Outdoors.
- Wear your shirt for United Ability Day on May 10.
It’s that simple! And just by wearing a shirt, you directly impact the families served across Greater Birmingham.
“It’s way more than a school; it’s a community. We know they care so much about Theo and want to create a space where he can be himself.”
Jon Studstill
I’ve got my shirt; now it’s your turn. Order your “Inclusion is Good” T-shirt + wear it for United Ability Day on May 10.
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