Read the whole story here.
Going to the ballThe House hosts second annual prom for students with disabilitiesBy Josh Eiserikejeiserike@potomacnews.comFriday, June 8, 2007
Stacie Dunn has been looking forward to the second annual Cinderella Ball all year.
The Cinderella Ball, held at The House Inc. in Woodbridge, is a free prom for students with disabilities. Everything - from the donated dresses to the dinner and dancing - is free, due to donations from local philanthropists and volunteers.
The House, a nonprofit tutoring and mentoring program for teenagers, has been in operation since November 2005.
On the dance floor, Stacie is beaming from her wheelchair as her parents, Bob and Debbie, look on.
Stacie, 19, of Woodbridge has bad knees, Down’s syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. She’s hooked up to an oxygen machine in the back of her wheelchair.
“It’s not difficult,” said her father, Bob Dunn, 49, a Marine. “You deal with what you have to deal with.”
He added that there are lots of rewards, such as just seeing his daughter at a dance.
“The small things that don’t mean a lot to parents mean a lot to the parents that are here,” said Dunn, adding that Stacie, an 11th-grader at Potomac High School, had friends and schoolmates in attendance.
When asked what she liked best, Stacie smiles and lists all the friends she saw.
“Just look around,” said her mother, Debbie Dunn. “Look at how much fun these kids are having.”
***
When the guests arrive, they stood in line to get their picture taken with special guests Kyle Maynard and Paige Hemmis. Maynard was born with a rare disorder called Congenital Amputation, which means his only major joints are his neck and shoulders. He’s also a motivational speaker and champion wrestler - he wrote a book “No Excuses” and won an ESPN ESPY Award.
“I was here last year,” said Maynard, 21, a part-time speaker and a part-time student at the University of Georgia. “It blew me away. It was something I wanted to do again. … It was one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part of.”
