At the Starting Line

By Heather Honaker for the April 2022 issue of Little Rock Soiree magazine By all appearances Mason Gillespie is just like any other young adult. In reality, he’s extraordinary. Handsome with a quick sense of humor, strong work ethic and quest for learning, Mason is easy to admire. Like most outdoorsmen, he likes to hog…

Heart Hero: The Extraordinary Abby

I can’t stop thinking of Abby Ellis this week.

Nathan McClain, the Water-Powered Man

by Heather Honaker for Little Rock Soiree magazine Photo credit: Jason Masters After they welcomed their second son into the world, he was carried away to the hospital nursery where doctors found he had a genetic defect that would try to dictate so much of his potential throughout his life. Johnna and Alan listened to the specialists…

Extraordinary: An Ordinary Day in the Special Life of Anna Caroline Strickland

By Heather Honaker “I always knew that I was different from other kids,” says Anna Caroline Strickland. “[My mom] likes to tell this story when one day in kindergarten I got in the car from school, and I was like ‘Mom am I handicapped or something?’ because a little girl had said that to me…

Extraordinary: An Ordinary Day in the Special Life of Jacqueline Bettis

By Heather Honaker Jacqueline Bettis, born with cerebral palsy, says, “I’ve always known I stand out. But my parents taught me that regardless of my disability, I’m still a person and I’m still beautiful and I have nothing to be ashamed of.” Originally from Little Rock, she graduated from Hall High School, has an undergraduate…

Extraordinary: A typical day in the special life of Shayne Sheets

Special education teacher Shayne Sheets draws from her own experiences to create success in the classroom.

Extraordinary Estie: An Ordinary Day in a Special Life

Estie Johnson says these words, and also lives by them: Be your best self and live your life to the fullest because you never know what you could achieve. The sky is the limit!  A recent high school graduate, Johnson worked as an advocate for people with disabilities before the pandemic.   “I have a muscle disease…

Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Kylie Purifoy

Outgoing and active Kylie Purifoy is always on the move. From working in the theater department at a local high school to volunteering with the dance and drama teams, she is no stranger to the spotlight. I met Kylie and her brother and talked to him about their relationship for the November issue of Little Rock…

Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Michael Joe Lanari

Eighteen-year-old Michael Joe is a self-taught drummer who plans to study music in college. Before COVID-19, Michael Joe was a DJ at a central Arkansas pizza restaurant. “We were at lunch one day and the owner came over to the table and he and Michael Joe just hit it off and were talking and he…

Extraordinary: A Typical Day in the Special Life of Brandon Freville

Tell me a little about yourself.I’m 28 years old and have right side cerebral palsy. I am able to drive. I have a truck that has been modified with a left side gas pedal and a steering knob. After I graduated from ACCESS, I studied and earned my GED. Where do you work? Are you…