Under the Umbrella: Raindancer Amy

Meet Amy, a SJGF Raindancer since 2016—shared in her mom Jennifer’s words.

Amy’s world is made up of her mom Jennifer, dad Thomas, and new to the family, service dog Dottie.

What makes Amy, Amy?

When you are around Amy, it’s nearly impossible not to smile. Amy has spina bifida, which means she cannot use her lower extremities. But with the love and support of her parents, Jen and Tom, she’s grown up believing nothing is off limits.

Not her arms, which help her fly down the ramp of her house at lightning speed in her wheelchair. Not her determination, which helped her teach herself to swim in her grandparents’ lake. Not her love for animals and horses. And certainly not her heart.

Because what stands out most about Amy isn’t what she can’t do—it’s her ambition, her kindness, her sass, and the way she loves people with everything she has.

Words that describe Amy

Sweet, Kind, Sassy...and the most amazing person ever!

How does Amy inspire and make you proud?

Her mom says, “Never taking no for an answer—even when it means getting in trouble!” Amy’s determination and joy are impossible to miss.”

How does Amy bring you joy?

“Watching her just be a normal 8th grader! Out there protecting the world.”

There’s something special about watching Amy move through the world—

full of confidence, humor, kindness, and absolutely zero interest in being limited by anything.

What brings Amy joy?

Animals.

Her service dog Dottie.

And helping anybody—human or animal.

Back in 2019, we asked Amy what Dancing in the Rain meant to her. Amy answered—“It means you don’t have to be scared of the storm.”

A special story about Amy

In 2023, our Raindancer families were invited to spend time together at the Dr. Seuss Experience at Tysons Mall, and something VERY special happened that day thanks to Amy.

The only proper way to tell a story from a Dr. Seuss experience is through a poem, of course.

There was a sweet girl named Amy,

who won a Grinch with the “claw,”

while at the Dr. Seuss Experience in the Tysons Mall.

Although she was thrilled to be a winna'

she was determined to get one for her friend McKenna! She tried and she tried, time and time again, but she just couldn’t get a win!

Suddenly, Thing 1 and Thing 2

took interest in Amy’s plight,

and came out with relief for her in sight!

A Seuss character to share with her friend,

still hard earned, but earned with a hug and a grin!

And truly…that’s Amy. Always thinking about someone else. Always wanting others to feel included, loved, and happy too! (Make sure you scroll through the photos!)

The Two-Sided Coin

Life under the umbrella often holds two realities at once—the hard and the beautiful, existing side by side. Two sides of the same coin.

A younger Amy learning to walk with her brace on.

The Hard

Sometimes the hardest parts aren’t always the medical pieces—sometimes it’s simply wanting to keep up with the world around you.

Barriers…we try not having them, but when you watch your friends running away, it’s very hard.

Amy loves participating in her school plays.

Amy is also navigating life as a tiny teenager in a world built for bigger bodies, along with other challenges that can feel frustrating and exhausting.

And yet—through it all—she keeps showing up with strength, humor, and heart.

BUT YET....The Beautiful

“Watching her love…she loves you with every fiber in her soul.”

The beauty in Amy is impossible to miss.

Whether she’s helping another person, caring for an animal, or simply loving the people around her fiercely—Amy leaves people better than she found them.

How Amy Has Changed Their Family

“She completes our family… we are not sure what we would ever do without her.”

Some people change your life simply by being exactly who they are. Amy is one of those people.

Lessons from Under the Umbrella

What It Means to Be a Raindancer Family

“Well we love just being part of the family…Sara makes you feel like the most important person in the room and you just feel like you’re with your people!”

From an adaptive bike, to an iPad that has helped Amy stay connected during long hospital stays, to welcoming her service dog Dottie with open arms—Jenn says we have, "received more family and love than we know what to do with.”

What Others May Not Understand

Families like Amy's are living a reality most don’t see.

“I wish people knew how hard it is- even when we make it look easy!” - Jennifer

Behind every outing, every appointment, and every “normal” moment is often a family working twice as hard just to move through the world.

What Support Can Look Like

Sometimes support is simpler than people realize... “Giving up a parking space and making room for our family life…”

And sometimes the greatest kindness is not asking a million questions—

“Just let us be a regular family.”

Lessons for the world, from Under the Umbrella: Support looks like making room, showing kindness, and allowing families to simply belong.

Thank you for stepping under the umbrella and taking the time to get to know Amy. From under the umbrella, with love. 💛