Share Your Story

Share Your Story

We all have stories to tell. Big or small, significant or trivial, individual or far-reaching.  Our stories capture the magic in our lives.  Here at The Arc of Northern Virginia, know that the most effective way to win hearts and minds, to influence policy-makers, and to motivate supporters, is to share the real-life stories of the people we serve.  YOU inspire us every day!  And we’re inviting you to share your best stories — and photos! — with the community.

Submission Form
Young man with IDD wears a blue apron while working behind the counter of a coffee shop, holding a credit card machine for a customer.
Three young adult women with Down syndrome, dressed in business casual blouses, sit with their arms around eah other on a bench in front of a red brick wall.

Ever since we launched “A Life Like Yours”, we have been working to show our community that people should not be defined by a disability.  We all can and deserve to be seen as whole, complete individuals, with ABILITIES to succeed in the world we live in.  Certainly life with a disability has its challenges, for both the individual and for caregivers, but the disability is not the whole story.  In fact, YOUR story is whatever YOU decide it is.

African American mother and pre-teen son gaze at a laptop computer. Mom has her chin resting on one hand, and her other arm around her son's soulders.

So we’re giving you the chance to share.  Not everyone feels the need to do so, and that’s fine.  But for those of you who are willing to speak out, to share, and to show the community at large that we are ALL worthy, this portal is way to start.  Simply fill out the form below, and be sure to include photos.

A young adult man with IDD wears a blue apron while watering a fern in a greenhouse

We’ll be curating the stories, and formatting them to be shared publicly; perhaps in our ReSources newsletter, maybe as part of one of our workshops and webinars, possibly on social media, or even from the speaker’s podium at one of our fundraising events.  In all cases, we’ll speak with you about how we want to share your story, and honor any wishes or special requests you may have.

Female African American college student looks at the camera while sitting at a table filling out a form.

Not a storyteller? Don’t worry! Tell your story in your own words, and our expert editor will help with editing if your story is chosen. To help get your thinking cap on, see our story suggestions below.

Examples of the kinds of inspirational and meaningful stories we’re looking for:

• Tell us about your passion. How did you discover it?
• Your first time out on your own
• Tell us what your best friend means to you
• A funny story you have been dying to share. Don’t hold back!
• Something you are grateful for
• Something that happened to you that taught you something you hadn’t known about yourself.

• Parenting moments:  What are your greatest joys about being a parent? What are your struggles?
• What’s the craziest thing you ever did for love? (PG-rated!)
• Story told about a sibling
• The best family vacation ever!
• A special charity event…or volunteer experience that warmed your heart

• Any other story you can think of!

• Your favorite holiday tradition
• Something you learned from a parent or grandparent that you’ve passed on to your kids
• Memorable school/camp experience that you or your kids have had
• Give us an example of when you followed your heart/intuition
• Tell us about a bucket-list item you’ve checked off

close-up photo of a father and son smiling

Use this form to submit your story article

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Please leave a way to contact you if we have any questions about your submission.
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