We attended the 2024 Abilities Expo New York Metro May 2-4, and the experience left our team with profound feelings of connection and hope—here’s why.
Communities of Hope in Motion
Abilities Expos are always jam-packed with events and action, but Abilities Expo NY Metro took the excitement to another level. As our Executive Director, Kelly L Green, reflected:
“It was undoubtedly one of the busiest Expos we’ve seen outside of LA.”
Joined by Sonny, our Director of Outreach, and Stacia, a Client Services Coordinator, Kelly got to see both local clients and newcomers respond to our medical fundraising mission.
“Local clients couldn’t stop singing praises about our services.”
Stacia experienced her first Abilities Expo—and it left a big impression:
“I got to actually see the things that our clients are fundraising for in-person. It was amazing!”
Stacia put her sign language skills to use engaging with families at the Expo booth:
Kelly connected with actor Micah Fowler, who you may know as JJ from Speechless:
Our team also got the chance to check with occupational and physical therapists and other medical professionals—“our Outreach team will be busy with a lot of webinars in the coming months,” predicted Kelly.
Throughout the weekend following the Expo, we received calls from families who had heard about us onsite—including referrals from Abilities Expo vendors:
“It was not only rewarding to connect with individuals who genuinely rely on our support but also heartwarming to witness the enthusiasm from vendors who were eager to steer people in our direction.”
Making Connections
Connecting with clients in-person always reinforces the importance of our mission: to help stop medical debt before it starts through trusted medical fundraising.
As always, we got the chance to catch up with some of our clients in-person at the Help Hope Live booth, including Jane Koza, Laurel Jastrzembski, and Amy Sherwood:
Amy and her constant companion, Dolly Pawton, took the time to help a family learn about Help Hope Live for the first time.
The family immediately felt a sense of relief learning about what we do:
“Thank you for taking the burden off of me for where I was going to find the rest of the money for her wheelchair.”
Jack and Monica Perme also joined us at the booth with a special purpose: their Moving Forward Compassion Fund with Help Hope Live helps the ataxia community fund adaptive bikes.
One final quote we loved, from attendee-turned-client Sarah Ryan:
“Abilities Expo was so great! It was like being at Disney World where I was welcome everywhere and people were all very accepting wherever I went. Speaking with Kelly, Sonny and Jack were a highlight of my weekend.”
An Adaptive Bike Giveaway to Remember
Five-year-old Nyla Richmond is living with mobility challenges and other disabilities following a periventricular leukomalacia and epilepsy diagnosis.
At Abilities Expo New York Metro, Nyla received a smile-inducing surprise: a customized Freedom Concepts bike that fits her unique mobility needs.
Riding the adaptive bike will help Nyla with her movement and control while improving her coordination and helping strengthen her muscles—all to bring her a little bit closer to the goal of walking independently one day.
This bike is the first of its kind within our Every Child Deserves a Bike program: it can be used for not just outdoor use but also stationary indoor use for ongoing therapy benefits.
“The sheer joy on her face coupled with the tears of gratitude from her parents left a profound impact on me,” reflected Kelly:
“Witnessing Nyla’s radiant smile as she rode that bike was truly unforgettable.”
Written by Emily Progin
