Our granddaughter, Anna, is an amazing young woman who happens to have cerebral palsy (CP). My equally amazing daughter adopted Anna as an infant after her biological mother used methamphetamine during pregnancy, which contributed to Anna’s CP. Although the condition affects all four of her limbs, Anna is remarkably independent.

Anna organizes weekly calls where she sings and helps facilitate conversations among the participants. She attends a weekly youth group and goes to camp several times a year. As a true extrovert, she simply cannot get enough of being around other people. If I had to sum up Anna in just a few words, I would say this: Anna loves people, and she loves the independence she has worked so hard to achieve despite the challenges of CP.

Because of her physical limitations, however, much of Anna’s social world exists virtually. Her community consists of WhatsApp groups, Zoom calls, phone conversations, text messages, and email. While she is grateful for these connections, she longs for something more—face-to-face community where she can freely and independently interact with her friends, share experiences, and simply enjoy being part of everyday life.

At the same time, Anna does require some assistance because of her CP. That is why a community such as Vanguard Landing could be so transformative for someone like her. It could provide the support she needs while also giving her the independence, friendships, and sense of belonging she so deeply desires.

For Vanguard Landing to thrive, however, it needs to be a community open to everyone, not just families who have the financial resources to afford the independence it offers. The opportunity to live an active, independent, and connected life should not be limited to those who can pay for it. Individuals who may require public assistance such as Medicaid should have the same opportunity to be part of such a community.

Isn't that the kind of society we all want to live in—a society where a person's disability or financial circumstances do not determine whether they could live independently, build meaningful relationships, and belong?