A Night To Shine Prom - What Life Should Be All About!

My wife, Sarah, had a premonition, long ago, that we would someday have a special needs child. Little did we realize back then that we would not have just one, but two, special needs sons, a third son who had a rare form of childhood cancer, and a forth son that was still-born. Along the way we have been blessed to know and minister to many other special needs children. And, it has been a blessing. Words cannot express how honored we are that God chose us to be special needs parents and put so many special needs kids into our path. Yes, it has been difficult. There are some days that I just want to throw in the towel and cry. And there have been some days that I have done just that. There is not a day that goes by, though, that God doesn't reveal something special about my children or one of the other special needs children that we know.

Recently Sarah had the great privilege of escorting a friend of ours and her disabled daughter to the "A Night To Shine" prom for disabled youth and adults. It was hosted by Rising Above Ministries and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. She called me several times during the evening to tell me through tears how special it was.

The special needs participants were made to feel like kings and queens at their prom. It was truly their night to shine. Before they even arrived at the prom, the girls were given free makeovers and had their hair done. There was even a company that allowed the girls to pick out and wear a special prom dress and matching jewelry for free that night. Each attendee walked down the red carpet with paparazzi flashing pictures of them. They were each given a special helper that assisted them for the night so that the parents could relax and enjoy themselves. The girls received corsages and the boys got a special shoe shine. They were taken a few at a time for a special ride in a stretch limousine. They danced! They ate! They had a blast!

The Tim Tebow Foundation sponsored over forty "Night to Shine" proms in 26 states and three countries. Below are three videos of either the prom itself or the aftermath. It never fails that when I watch them tears come to my eyes. The first video is of the local prom hosted by Rising Above Ministries. Our friend Patricia is the one walking down the red carpet while waving her "Miss America" wave.

The second video is the video made by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Say what you will about Tim Tebow. He has been ridiculed for his Christian stance and been put down because of the way he played in the NFL. Let the naysayers say what they will. Patricia doesn't care. She was the queen of the prom!

The third video is of Patricia demonstrating how she danced "The Chicken Dance". She has great memories and still talks about it. What a special night! Thank you Rising Above Ministries and thank you Tim Tebow. You are showing people what really matters in life. You are both class acts!