As a parent we all want to see our children have their moment in the spotlight when they feel good about themselves. A Place to Be provided many of those moments to Ryan. I can remember the first time we saw Ryan on stage, it was a very organic & authentic performance, and he was up there doing his thing with confidence. He was proud of himself and to say the least, my heart was full.
How long have you been volunteering at A Place To Be, how did you learn about us/get started volunteering with us?
We have been a part of A Place to Be from the beginning. Ryan was 8 when we met Tom Sweitzer through the director of Catoctin Music. The original plan was for Tom to give Ryan piano lessons, but it turned into so much more. Tom was in school at the time to become a music therapist. Ryan’s communication skills were very limited and he only had a few words. It was through music that Ryan really began to use his voice. This is when our journey with Tom and Kim really started and A Place to Be has been part of our lives ever since. Tom and Kim and the entire APTB family have helped Ryan learn how to use his voice to communicate, and to regulate his mood and his body. Ryan is now 23, and A Place to Be has been an integral part of his success, and important partner in his overall drive for independence!
What were some of the ways you’ve been involved with APTB over the years?
Over the years our family as been involved and served in many capacities including volunteering our time, serving on the board and fundraising, including “Team RyGuy”, a special group of family and friends that raised meaningful awareness and dollars for the cause.
Do you have any specific moments that stick out to you, or inspiring or joyous moments you would like to share?
Wow, there are so many moments that stick out. You know, as a parent we all want to see our children have their moment in the spotlight when they feel good about themselves. A Place to Be provided many of those moments to Ryan. I can remember the first time we saw Ryan on stage, it was a very organic & authentic performance, and he was up there doing his thing with confidence. He was proud of himself and to say the least, my heart was full. Every performance from that point on only got better and his parts only got bigger. There was a show called “Best Friends” that “Team Ry Guy” sponsored and Ryan was singing a song before the show started. It was just him and his therapist on stage. His therapist starting playing his guitar and Ryan said “stop the guitar is out of tune”. He went over, took the guitar out of his therapist’s hand and tuned it, while the entire audience watched, I was holding my breath. When the guitar was tuned, he was ready and sang his song. I will never forget that moment. The other moments that stick out were when he was part of the “Same Sky Project”. He was up on stage in front of thousands of middle school children throughout Loudoun County sharing his story about his life, and what it’s like to have autism. Those performances with his cast mates and the reaction from all of the students touched me every time. I think I cried “proud tears” at every show. Many of the original cast mates from “The SameSky Project” have continued to be friends. They have grown up together. It is amazing to see their growth over the years. This place is just magical.
Why should someone volunteer at A Place To Be? What sets being involved with APTB apart from other organizations, and what has kept you coming back?
When A Place to Be opened the new center in Leesburg, it just seemed natural to continue to give back to an organization that has given my son and our family so much. I volunteer at the front desk and sometimes Ryan joins me on nights that he doesn’t have to work at Harris Teeter. I/we love it. I have seen and witnessed so many new faces come through the door. The clients come running in with excitement and ready for their sessions. The parents interacting with one another in the lobby. It reminds me of the days when Ryan went to his music therapy sessions and I would sit in the lobby talking with other parents about IEP’s, what the school system is and isn’t doing, asking questions and seeking advice. While the content of the conversations change as our children get older, we are all still in the same boat. It is really nice to see the interaction.
A Place to Be has been changing people’s lives for over 14 years. It is a place where music therapy meets a safe and welcoming community – the result is pure magic for anyone who comes through their door – that’s why I love it.
If you are interested in volunteering at A Place To Be, reach out to us on our volunteer page!