Finding the community at A Place to Be in Leesburg has provided 6-year-old Sammy Hess with a place where he can truly shine, according to his mother, Dani Hess.
Dani Hess said her son was diagnosed about one year ago with autism and ADHD. While he participates in several different extracurricular activities, A Place to Be is where he has thrived, she said.
They heard about A Place to Be, a Middleburg-based music therapy nonprofit, through her community of special-needs moms, and thought it might be helpful for Sammy to try it out.
She said the team of therapists have been amazing with Sammy, who also has anxiety and sensitivity to sounds.
“Music is almost like who he is — it has been his favorite thing. Anywhere he goes he is humming and singing,” she said.
The first time they visited, she said it was a little chaotic, but it quickly became a wonderful experience.
“He was paired with Miss Brandy, and I don’t even know how to describe her. She has such a heart for serving the community and so much love, inclusion and acceptance from the moment you walk in,” Hess said.
“They are incredibly sensitive to people’s emotions. I felt comfort and confidence and was at peace with dropping him off,” she added. “It is hard to find something where it’s a place they truly belong and can fully be themselves.”
She said she could not believe Sammy’s growth at his first performance, where he sang “The Wheels on the Bus.”
“He walked in and sat and watched every performance. When it was his turn, he went on the stage and didn’t look back. He had the biggest smile on his face and the whole audience was loud and cheering for him,” she said. “That joy gave him so much confidence.”
Sammy will be performing in the Dec. 22 holiday show at Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg.