Did You Know?
Where SMILE Mass Comes In
In the Words of Those We Help
Thank you so much for making our vacation happen ! We appreciate so much that you were able to find us alternate days when our April days didn’t work out. We are preparing for a surgery for my daughter Milana in August, and it was especially nice to have time together to relax beforehand. The house is beautiful ! I wish we lived in MA to access more of your programs! Hoping to be back next year!
– The Lefebvre Family
MEET SATO
Sato has been a familiar, smiling face at Club SMILE Mass since joining in December 2022.
He fills his days with activities alongside his peers—two gym sessions a week, private swim lessons, and music classes on Zoom. But his true passion is painting with watercolors, a creative outlet he cherishes.
Diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a seizure disorder, and mild hearing loss, Sato thrives with the support of personalized coaching that pushes him to grow. Through Club SMILE Mass, he has built meaningful connections, gained confidence, and strengthened his skills—both in and out of the gym.
Beyond Club SMILE Mass, Sato continues to embrace new experiences, taking adaptive piano, dance, and weaving classes on weekends.
SMILE Mass is a joy and relief for us as parents. The organization benefits the entire family. Seeing Sato develop friendships, a sense of belonging, and increased confidence to try new things is incredibly encouraging. It has helped us see his potential and inspires us to use similar approaches at home.
– TOSHI, SATO’s FATHER
Our family borrowed the floating wheelchair from SMILE Mass last summer for a family trip to Maine, and it truly made a huge difference. It allowed us to get my dad around the beach so much more easily than trying to manage a standard wheelchair or navigate the sand with his prosthetics and cane. It really helped make the trip more enjoyable for all of us.
My dad is 85 (though he doesn’t look it)! He’s a double below-the-knee amputee and also had partial amputations on all ten fingers after a battle with septic shock, which he thankfully overcame. Being able to use the chair last year meant a lot to him and to our family. It was so fun to have him out on the sand with his grandsons – and for this year with a new granddaughter! 🙂
– Lauren M.
I want to thank you so very much for allowing me to borrow the portable wheelchair ramps and water wheelchair from SMILE Mass this past weekend. This adaptive equipment was such an incredible blessing to the Powell family! Robert was able to enter the cottage thanks to the portable wheelchair ramps. Thanks to the water wheelchair, he was able to and enjoy the beach, mudflats and saltwater of the ocean with his parents and siblings. He absolutely LOVED using the water wheelchair! It was incredible how this all terrain amphibious vehicle could float, allowing him to be in the ocean with his family. The water wheelchair also allowed Robert to be on the mudflats for the gathering of mussels, quahogs and oysters together. Memories to last a lifetime! I want to thank you for your tremendous labors of love which allow people affected by disabilities to be active participants in all of the fun! I have attached some photos documenting the family’s joy
– ALAINIE
SMILE MASS is amazing!! We were searching for some type of floating wheelchair device for my elderly mother with Dementia and Parkinson’s and I came across SMILE MASS. Not only did they have the floating wheelchair, they offered it to us and only requested any type of donation we were comfortable with giving. I was in shock! I had looked at rentals and the prices were astronomical! I thought my poor mother will never have the chance to go in the water again. Smile Mass allowed my mom to enjoy the waters of Cape Cod again. That summer she was the happiest we have seen and cognitively at her best! I fully believe this is from being able to get into the water. She was singing and laughing each time she was on the floating wheelchair. The other great thing was that she was able to then sit on the beach with her family as well. Something she had not done in years. Thank you again SMILE MASS, we are forever grateful for your organization. Almost forgot, the pick up and drop off deliver was another amazing perk!! We happily donated to your organization and look forward to this summer again using the floating wheelchair. THANK YOU!!!!
– MARY TOULOUSE
MEET RACHAEL
Rachael has non-verbal autism, but that hasn’t stopped her from thriving at Club SMILE Mass.
Every time she joins her friends and coaches, she radiates pure joy. Like her peers, she enjoys a full schedule—swimming, gym class, social and craft groups, music therapy, and bingo.
Through our programming, Rachael has made huge strides—becoming more independent, swimming on her own, and using her communication skills more consistently.
The independence, confidence, and resiliency it provides has been monumental. The social aspect is extremely important, especially post-Covid. Club SMILE Mass has helped push Rachael to limits she didn’t know she could reach. Club SMILE Mass has provided our family with a sense of connectedness among other families that face the same or similar challenges. It has allowed us to feel more a part of a world that can often be very isolating.
– RACHAEL’S MOTHER
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