Ability Tree

10/13/2026

Sometimes healing doesn’t come the way we pray it will.

We can’t always change the circumstances. We can’t change every diagnosis or take away every hard thing our kids and families will face, but we can choose how we respond. We can love the person in front of us, not for who we wish they could become, but for exactly who God created them to be. 🙌

We can get to know them. Learn what makes them laugh. Pay attention to what they love. Make room for the way they communicate, participate, and experience the world.

And instead of only praying for God to change their circumstances, we can also pray that He would use their life just as it is. That He would help us see their gifts, recognize their purpose, and love them well right here and right now. 💚

People with disabilities or special needs don’t need to be treated like a problem waiting to be solved. They are people to know, love, include, and make room for.

Joe and Jen have learned this firsthand when raising their son, Micah. Read more about their journey in their book, "Life with Micah." The link is in our bio and stories!

10/09/2026

Fall events should be a place where every child and family can have fun, make memories, and feel like they belong. 🍂💚

Creating a more accessible event doesn’t always require big changes. Often, it starts with being intentional, thinking ahead, and recognizing that everyone may experience an event a little differently.

As you plan or prepare for fall activities this season, consider how you can help create spaces where more people can comfortably participate and enjoy the fun.

A little thoughtfulness can make a big difference in helping everyone feel welcomed and included.

Save this post and share it with someone planning a fall event this year!🎃

10/08/2026

A postcard from Ability Tree Camp. 💌

This year, 360 campers and counselors came together for friendship, fun, and the opportunity to grow in their faith.

Behind that number are the moments we wish we could put into words. A camper finding community. A parent experiencing respite. A counselor becoming a friend. Worshiping together and encountering Jesus. Getting to be part of it all and knowing every single person belongs there. Those are the moments generous donors helped make possible this year.

Because they said, "Yes," lives were changed this summer.

Want to be a part of the mission in 2027? Visit abilitytree.org/donate.

The best is yet to come 💚

10/06/2026

No matter our abilities, no matter what it looks like, we were made to worship 💚

One of our campers' favorite parts of camp is worship because it's a time they get to be themselves and worship their Creator.

If they want to move around the room, they can move. If they want to sing at the top of their lungs, they can sing. If the music becomes too much and they need to step away, that's okay, too. Some dance. Some clap. Some weep at the altar. Some sit quietly.

No one has to worry about being a distraction. No one is looked down on because their worship looks or sounds different. They are simply given the freedom to worship.

And shouldn’t our churches be places where that is possible?

A disability may change the way someone communicates, moves, processes sound, or participates in a worship service. It does not change the fact that they were created to worship their Creator.

What if our churches made more room for that?

We believe every person was made to worship—and we made a shirt to share that reminder. 💚 Shop our Made to Worship tee in the Ability Tree shop.

09/26/2026

‪A sensory room might look like just another classroom, but for a family impacted by disability, it can change what Sunday morning looks like. It could be the difference of going home or staying throughout the service. ‬

Connect Church in Springfield, Missouri, created a sensory room using Ability Tree equipment and decor recommendations, giving individuals a place to step away when the sensory demands of church become too much.

That means a child can have a place to regulate, a parent can be in service without worrying if their child is ok, and the family can have more opportunity to participate together.

This is what intentional inclusion can look like. A church notices a barrier, makes a practical adaptation, and creates more opportunities for families impacted by disability to participate in the life of the Church.

Connect Church , thank you for Making Jesus Accessible in Springfield! 💚

09/23/2026

A little intentionality can open the door to a whole new experience for families impacted by disability.

At Micah’s Big Day Out in Springfield, Missouri, Theo and his family had the opportunity to get in the pool, laugh together, and experiencing something new that they normally could not do.

Creating opportunities like this is part of why Ability Tree exists. We come alongside churches and communities to remove barriers and help families impacted by disability participate in the life of their community. 💚

For kids like Theo. For his family. For the 1 in 5 families just like theirs in your community, let’s Make Community Possible!

09/23/2026

Missouri Friends! Ability Tree Missouri is starting Art Ability in partnership with Roots Therapy Solutions this fall! Know someone who would want to join and grow creatively? 🖌️🫟

Send them this registration link: https://abilitytree.subspla.sh/mzkm3qw

We are so excited to provide community and create with these kids!

Hey Roots Families! 👋 We are partnering with Ability Tree to support another great community program. 🌳 Join us for Art Ability 🎨— a 6 week program focusing on artistic exploration and socialization. The program finishes with an art show! 🌟 This is for kids with and without disabilities- we would love to see you there.
Like, love, tag and share! ❤️

09/18/2026

Transitions can be hard for every family—but for families impacted by disability and autism, changes in routines can bring an added layer of stress.

As a new school routine settles in, remember that the families around you may be carrying more than you can see. The after-school meltdowns, restless nights, new expectations and constant adjustments can take a lot of energy.

So instead of saying, “Let me know if you need anything,” try showing up with something specific.

Offer a meal. Pick up their kids after school. Give a parent a few hours to rest. Invite their family over. Ask how you can learn to care for their loved one so they can feel comfortable stepping away.

You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show you care 💚

Save this post for the next time you want to check in but aren’t sure what to say.

09/11/2026

Today, we remember September 11, 2001.

We remember the lives lost, the families who were forever changed, and the first responders who ran toward danger to help others.

May we never forget that day 25 years ago 🙏