Uniquely Different - UD

09/06/2026

Today is our founder Laura’s birthday. And tomorrow we celebrate a day off with Labor Day!

08/28/2026

It hits different when you're unique! ... Finally, my yarn came in. This weekend I work on a silent auction package. Knitting...LSU colors. Hat, scarf, washcloths (I already finished), etc. Debating whether I should do more. It's all due by 9/10. The auction and its gala is on 9/18. It is a fundraiser for a local Catholic diocese's nonprofit special needs ministry.

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08/28/2026

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10 am - 12 pm, in Denham Springs, Uniquely Different (UD) will team up with St. Francis Episcopal Church to host our first cooking activity event. We will be making mini loaves of pumpkin bread. Mrs. Judy Knecht (19-year veteran and master pumpkin bread baker) will be leading the charge.

The event is free! Monetary donations are optional to help replenish the donated supplies.

Our two sponsors for this event are Temple & Vine Therapy Solutions and St. Francis' ECW (ladies church group). Space is limited to 12 disabled adults. A parent/caregiver is required to accompany each disabled adult. If someone has allergies to pumpkin, flour, buttermilk, and/or cinnamon, this would not be a wise event to attend. To sign up, please see the flyer.

08/25/2026

Today was very productive. UD had the iron-out meeting for our September event. Our first cooking/baking activity will be on Saturday, September 26, 2026. We will be making pumpkin bread. At St. Francis Episcopal Church in Denham Springs. Immense thanks goes to our master pumpkin bread baker (Mrs. Judy), St. Francis’s rector (Rev. Maggie), the church’s women group (ECW), and more. Plus, we have an outside sponsor (new): Temple & Vine Therapy Solutions. … Laura is finishing up the flyer and polishing the sign up page. Space will be limited to only 12 disabled adult participants. Per participant an accompanying parent/caregiver is required to attend. … Best of all, this event is free!

08/24/2026

Splash Day at Fellowship Church is soon! It is a free event. It is in Gonzales. It is on September 19 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM. Which is a Saturday!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F1xTnirT9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We would love to see your beautiful faces at our Splash Day event!! Cool off with the mobile splash pad, water slide, slip ‘n’ slide, and more!! Food and snowballs will be served. The event is free.

08/20/2026

Wanting to share this as a resource with folks. I attended it last year and gained a ton of valuable info. … in summary, it changed my life (in multiple ways). It’s Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 4-6 pm at the LSU Fieldhouse. Registration is via the flyer.

CAAN is joining SPARK for Autism in the Community, LSU, The Emerge Center, and The Magnolia Rose Foundation for the Autism Seminar & Resource Fair on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 4–6pm CDT at the LSU Huey Long Field House Ballroom (50 Field House Drive, Baton Rouge, LA).

This free event brings together researchers, service providers, and local organizations to share resources for the autism community — plus light refreshments will be served! Our own Drew Walker will be speaking alongside Dr. Wan-Chun Su and Dr. Eileen Haebig of LSU, and Miranda Georgetown Riley of the Magnolia Rose Foundation.

Registration is required and spots are limited, so reserve yours today: https://bit.ly/SITC-Sept13LSU

Questions? Email [email protected]

We hope to see you there! 💜💛

08/20/2026

Repeating it. Luau fun Friday evening with Friendship House in St. Gabriel.

🌺🌺 Friendship House LUAU Social 🌺🌺
Friday August 21st, 5-8pm
Bayou Paul Rm. St Gabriel Community Center
1400 Gordon Simon Leblanc Dr, St Gabriel, LA 70776

All are welcome!
Friendship, Hawaiian Fun and Music
Wear your Hawaiian shirt and hula skirt!

Thank you to City of St. Gabriel
And the St Gabriel Community Center
Kay Vee Smith

08/14/2026

Folks often think that the type of individuals who come to UD events only have autism or ADHD while in fact, I as the founder, originally started it for more of the neurological conditions versus just the common neurodivergent disorders. Neurological meaning the brain or the body (or genetics) causes the issue—think PTSD, anxiety, depression, Down’s, cerebral palsy, and more. I also have soft spots for dementias and geriatric conditions but that’s another story for another day.

Starting on August 22, 2026, in the US, Netflix will feature a film called I Swear. It’s about a Scottish guy John Davidson with Tourette’s. I can’t recommend the film because I haven’t seen it yet (it’s available to rent/buy on YouTube). But this extended trailer has already blown me away. Plus, it’s about a real-life person. However, the film is rated R. … as part of his disorder, John swears (hence the title).

https://youtu.be/oeWqQN3snCU?is=5PgZWWnK_PXzTWkA

08/09/2026

We are at All Star Lanes in BR at the DSAG-BR summer bowling afternoon. Laura and the Collins family! Btw, Jason has skills; the three ladies just keeping trying.

08/08/2026

A question has come from a mom of an adult child with disabilities (ADHD, Level 1 autism). Anyone ever done Great Wolf Lodge without kids? Basically 3 adults (two in their 70s, and one under 40). Is it accessible? Worth it? This would be the one in Houston-Webster, Texas. Please include tips and tricks. A big perk is that it’s indoors and away from the outdoor heat.