For Angie Penrose, few things mean more than seeing her daughter, Chloe, find meaning, joy, and acceptance in a place where she isn’t defined by her disability but celebrated for who she is as a human being.

That’s exactly what Chloe has found in Life Adult Day Academy, or LADA, for the past 10 years. And through a partnership with Audiences Unlimited, that experience has become even richer—bringing music, creativity, and friendship into Chloe’s life in ways that have deeply touched her and her family.

“LADA provides an environment where Chloe is able to shine,” Angie said. “She has a wonderful social life there. It feels like a small extended family. At LADA, she’s able to be in a place where her disabilities vanish and she can just be herself.”

Chloe, 28, has cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic. She navigates life through a power chair and attends LADA three days a week. For Angie, one of the greatest gifts is knowing Chloe has a place to be with peers, build friendships, and enjoy life as a young adult.

That sense of belonging grew even stronger when Audiences Unlimited began offering music and theater programming at LADA. Chloe has always loved music and responds to it in powerful ways. In fact, the programming through Audiences Unlimited has helped draw her daughter in even more.

“I can’t say enough about Audiences Unlimited,” Angie said. “Chloe loves music. She responds to it. Music really opens up something cognitively for her. Plus, AUE adds fun and creativity to her time at LADA and gives her a way to express herself.”

After stepping back from programming during COVID, Chloe slowly returned to LADA, but it wasn’t until Audiences Unlimited programming resumed that Chloe began to show real interest, especially with the upcoming theater performance of LADA Through the Looking Glass, where Chloe will perform as a flower.

“All the students at LADA take ownership of their performance and want to do their very best,” Angie said. “Even if someone doesn’t have a lead role, they still have a part to play, and that matters.”

For Angie, perhaps the most moving part of the performance is the spirit Audiences Unlimited brings into the room. “I love to watch the interaction and the acceptance,” she said. “There’s never any judgment. AUE makes the students feel like they are important and that they can be part of something really special.”

For families like Chloe’s, that kind of belonging is a beautiful reminder that every person deserves the chance to be seen, celebrated, and loved.