PALMERSTON ‒ A day program for developmentally delayed adults is trying to make you SMILE with scrunchies this holiday season.
Scrunchies Made Inclusively by Lovely Exceptionalities, or SMILE, is a craft activity-turned-scrunchie business created by Sierra-Lynn Moreira, the owner of Building Bridges, a privately-funded day program service for developmentally delayed adults in Palmerston.
An optional, hour-long activity spread throughout the week, SMILE involves approximately 30 individuals varying in age and ability, picking and cutting fabric, sewing and packaging scrunchies before they’re sold online or at local markets.
"(The adults) do ask when they're going to do it so I try to spread things out to keep it fair for everyone," said Moreira. "They're excited to participate in (SMILE) because they know if they make a scrunchie and someone purchases it, it goes towards more activities."
Open Monday to Thursday, SMILE is one of several activities at Building Bridges aiming to “emphasize the ability in ability” while promoting independence.
"I love the family here, I love the community, I love everybody here," said program regular Mitch Dale, who has a rare genetic condition called William Syndrome. "Everyone treats me so kindly."
Attending Building Bridges since its conception in March 2022, Dale, the self-proclaimed scrunchie 'elastic man,' said he felt proud the first time he made a scrunchie.
"Most people don't realize that these adults give their 110 per cent," said Moreira. "But each individual has their own set of abilities and sometimes you just have to take the time of day to discover their hidden talents."
One of two programs in Wellington County offering programs for adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, Moreira chose Palmerston because of its close proximity to Wellington North, Mapleton and North Perth.
"I think the most important thing is providing quality programming and quality care," said Moreira. "Unfortunately there are limited services in Wellington County and there's an extremely long waitlist when it comes to pretty much anything that provides support to you."
All proceeds from SMILE go towards additional activities and transportation- one of the program’s biggest barriers- as many of the adults rely on caregivers or agency transportation to get around, with some people travelling from as far as Elora and Milverton.
For field trips, the group currently relies on an agency service which is limited to six people and one wheelchair.
"Being in a rural township, you have your little town and then one kilometre away you have a farm so there's a really big disconnect between transportation," said Moreira. "The townships are small but the county is huge and we want people to know just because we're up in the country doesn't mean people don't live here."
While Moreira plans to start an Etsy shop in December, scrunchies are currently available online and folks will be selling them at the Building Bridges booth at the Kris Kringle Market and the Listowel Christmas Market in November.
"(Our scrunchies) are going to make people happy," said Dale. "I want people to know that I have a special sense of humour and a great disability doesn't mean I have to end my life."
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
