A Look Back: NY Special Needs Expo 2025
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, families, professionals, and community advocates gathered at the Albany Marriott for the NY Special Needs Expo — a day filled with inspiration, practical resources, and the kind of connections that make a lasting impact.
A Day of Support and Community
From the moment doors opened, the Expo buzzed like a beehive. Parents, caregivers, service providers, and educators explored new ideas, learned valuable strategies, and discovered resources designed to make everyday life more manageable and empowering. The event offered not only tools but also encouragement — a reminder that families navigating disability are not alone.
Featured Speakers
Safeguarding Futures: Understanding Medicaid & Special Needs Trusts: Local Attorney Katy Carpenter delivered a powerful and informative presentation, guiding families through the complex world of Medicaid and special needs trusts. Her insights provided clarity and peace of mind for parents planning ahead for their children’s future, and why taking steps now is peace of mind for the long-term.
The Power of Inclusive Playgrounds: Janine Lampo, mom and founder of Mason’s Mission, shared her heartfelt journey of creating inclusive playgrounds where all children — regardless of ability — can play side by side. Her story reminded us that advocacy often begins with one parent’s determination to make the world a more welcoming place.What We Took Away
Connection matters: The room was filled with new friendships and collaborative ideas that will continue long after this event.
Practical tools empower change: Everyone left with at least one actionable strategy to use immediately.
Resilience is built together: Growth is easier — and more joyful — when done in community.
Highlights & Takeaways
Practical resources: Attendees walked away with actionable information to navigate systems, supports, and financial planning.
Inspiring stories: From chatting with traditional service providers to the value of sensory play, the sessions sparked hope and determination.
Community connection: The Expo created a space where families and professionals could network, share experiences, and find encouragement.
As one attendee reflected, “It’s amazing to be surrounded by people who get it. It was nice to meet so many people working toward solutions and quality of life for people like my daughter.”
Thank You
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone I was lucky enough to meet.
And, to Jennifer Hendricks-Fogg, Mom to THE "Little Miracle" and the reason for the Logan Strong Foundation. For remembering every day is a choice to wear the "big girl panties". The NY Special Needs Expo would NOT be such a meaningful event if what I told you about "Angels on Earth" wasn't real. Every day strong, every day proud of you.
