Q: What’s your story, and what led you to Special Strong?
Thad: I’ve been part of the special needs community my whole life. My younger brother, Matt, had cerebral palsy. His needs were significant, and back then, there just weren’t resources for families. I watched my mom care for him without much support until she had no choice but to surrender him to the state. That experience shaped me. I volunteered with the Special Olympics for over 20 years in Georgia and always made sure that the wheelchair races were highlighted in every way possible. It mattered to me because it mattered to my brother.
When we moved to Alabama, I lost touch with that part of my life. But now, through Special Strong, I feel like I’ve been given a way back to the community that means so much to me.
Rachel: I started my career as a special education teacher and eventually became a school principal. I always gravitated toward students with the highest needs. In my last role, I had the opportunity to support a wing at our school called The Den for students with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional needs. That space and those students had my heart.
After I retired, I kept having a recurring dream that I was back in the classroom. I felt like God was nudging me to return to special education, but I didn’t want to go back into the school system. There were too many limitations, too many hurdles. When I saw the Special Strong ad, something clicked. We had been exploring small businesses, but nothing ever felt right. This did.
Q: What made you decide this was the right fit?
We actually weren’t sure at first. After our first call with Craig, we thought, “There’s no way this could really work.” We aren’t rich by any means, but we have worked hard and tried to be good stewards of our money. We just didn’t understand that it was possible to do something that we loved AND make a high quality investment. But, we couldn’t stop thinking about it. Eventually, we talked to Daniel, and something shifted. He prayed for us and told us to only move forward if we felt peace. That peace never left.
We flew to Dallas and met the athletes and their families. That sealed it. We could see the vision clearly. We were excited not just for ourselves, but for what this could mean for our local community and even for our own former students.
Q: What’s been the most meaningful part of the journey so far?
Rachel: For me, it’s seeing how everything has come full circle. I’ve already talked to teachers I worked with in the Panther Den, and they’re interested in joining us as coaches. I love that we get to work with families in a way that feels true to who we are and what we believe they deserve.“
Thad: I’m most excited about the things we can’t even see yet. When we visited Dallas, we saw videos of kids who used to struggle to walk now carrying groceries. Those everyday victories are what excite me. It’s about quality of life, independence, and the hidden blessings that will show up as we go.
Q: What would you say to someone considering this path?
We’d say, don’t just look at it through the lens of business. Look at it through the lens of impact. This is a chance to change lives. For the athletes, for their families, and even for your own. We feel like we’ve stepped into our purpose, and we’re just getting started.
