Hundreds of students with intellectual disabilities from across San Bernardino County filled the dance floor at the National Orange Show on March 6 as the annual Best Buddies Prom returned for a night centered on friendship, inclusion and belonging.

When a family receives the earth-shattering news that their child has an intellectual or developmental disability, the whirlwind of emotions can feel devastating. In the span of a few minutes, dreams shatter while questions and fears multiply rapidly. An experience that was supposed to be filled with joy and anticipation pivots sharply to confusion and grief. But what if amid that swirling chaos, a fellow parent who had walked this path showed up simply to listen and say, “Me too - you are not alone”?

Global Collaboration Brings Friendship and Creativity to the Forefront.