Bluffton hosts Glow Together for special needs teens

Teenagers and young adults with special needs gathered for music, dancing and friendship Aug. 1 during the Town of Bluffton’s Glow Together event, an effort organizers designed to provide participants with a social experience centered on their needs.

The free, invitation-only glow dance was designed for members of Bluffton’s special needs community ages 13 to 20. Local student volunteers served as buddies, spending the evening with participants and joining them in activities.

The event grew out of conversations about creating more opportunities for people with special needs to participate in town activities, Bluffton resident Cheryl Rodriguez told Town Council during its Aug. 11 meeting.

Rodriguez said challenges associated with special needs can sometimes make activities outside the home difficult and contribute to isolation for individuals and their families.

“As soon as these challenges were brought to the attention of the event planners, they immediately went to work on finding ways to make our special needs community know that they are seen and valued as a part of the Bluffton community,” Rodriguez told council.

She said the town has added special needs parking at events and created sensory bags containing fidget items and headphones that families can borrow.

Glow Together was another step in that effort.

“The Town of Bluffton hosted a glow dance for our teens and young adults with special needs to socialize, get to know one another and have a teen experience where they could be fully involved,” Rodriguez said.

More than 20 local teenagers and several adults volunteered at the dance, according to Rodriguez.

Event information was distributed through local care providers, educators, therapists and special needs community partners. According to information provided by the town, the approach helped organizers plan attendance, coordinate volunteers and provide support for participants.

The evening included pizza from Dough Boys Pizza Bluffton and craft sodas from Lowcountry Soda Co. Jeff “T-Bone” Taylor Mobile DJ provided music.
Parents had a separate space to socialize while their teens participated. Live Light Healing/Laurel Ashley, LMT, provided chair massages and self-care guidance.

Parents commenting on the town’s Facebook post following the event praised the volunteers and organizers.

“This was an exceptional event,” Michelle Hudson wrote. “Our son had a fantastic time and so did we. Thank you Bluffton for loving on us all this weekend.”