04/02/2026
We invited a group of young adults with intellectual disabilities to an inspirational talk with Senator Cory Booker and MS NOW’s Ali Vatali about Agency, Vulnerability, Patriotism, Community, Creativity, Perseverance, Grace, and Vision from his new book Stand.
For young adults with disabilities, having just one person who believes in them can be life-changing — because the barriers they face are real. Unemployment among this group remains stubbornly, heartbreakingly high. But statistics don’t define people. Stories do.
Michael Simmons, a graduate of So Kids Soar’s Your Path to Success program, is proof of that. Michael lives with an intellectual disability, and with support from Aspen Spark, he creates and produces his own podcast, turning his voice into something the world can hear.
So is Eric Carpenter-Grantham. Eric didn’t just navigate a broken system, he changed it. His law, Eric’s ID Law (HB 707/SB 618), now allows Marylanders with hidden disabilities to voluntarily add a butterfly symbol to their driver’s license or state ID. Inspired by his own experience with autism, the initiative helps law enforcement recognize non-apparent disabilities — improving safety and communication for thousands of people across the state.
That’s the work of Aspen Spark, in partnership with So Kids Soar’s Your Path to Success program. We create spaces for hands-on learning, real opportunity, and the kind of inspiration that changes the trajectory of a young person’s life.
Sparking Kindness · Inspiring Purpose · Creating Opportunity
