Our Mission
We advocate for, celebrate, and support individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome and other neuro-developmental disorders. Phelan-McDermid is a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development. We strive to raise awareness, educate the public, promote inclusivity, and offer financial support for research, care, and advocacy efforts.
About Our Foundation
Ava’s Way was founded by Ava’s parents to celebrate an amazing girl who brings joy to everyone she meets. The foundation strives to bring awareness about Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and neurodiversity. We hope to convey that people of all abilities can add to the world in their own way – often teaching us more about life than we could ever teach them. We are committed to awareness, research and patient care, but our focus is not on a cure. On this journey we have witnessed so much time being dedicated to teaching those that are neurodiverse how to function in a ‘normal’ society, but not nearly as much time being dedicated to teaching those that are “typical” how to be more open, accepting and inclusive. Witnessing acceptance and inclusion in action in a community, is something beautiful to behold… and that’s Ava’s Way.
In the Community
HMF Old Wethersfield 5/10k
Run for good on August 18th!
Hartford Marathon Foundation
Bikes on Main
Each spring, the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association sponsors ‘Bicycles on Main’ where community members, business, and charitable organizations like ours design and display bicycles along Main Street. We decided to create a twist on the traditional bicycle display by doing things a little differently. Instead of decorating a typical bicycle, we have deconstructed several bicycles and reconstructed them into flowers. Our garden of unicycle flowers is meant to show how things that are different can also be uniquely beautiful. We have dubbed this collection of one-wheeled wonders our ‘Uni(que)-cycle Garden’. Over time, we hope too add to our garden, with each new flower designed to bring attention to neurodiversity.
