Group to donate developmental center to Deshler High

Life can be challenging even under the best of circumstances. It is full of twists and turns, ups and downs.

Now imagine what life would be like if you experienced the world in a different way than the average person.

That is the daily reality for people on the Autism spectrum.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.

People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.

People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms. But for people with ASD, these characteristics can make life very challenging.

Such is the case for Britney Landers’ son Brayden, who is on the spectrum. Landers said at one point she waited five years just to hear Brayden’s voice.

“He is a blessing I didn’t know I needed,” she said. “He has amazing friends that support him.”

Landers would eventually found a group called Every Piece Matters.

According to the group’s website, “Every Piece Matters is dedicated to Autism Awareness, education and promoting the equality of those living on the Autism spectrum. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Through fundraising events and educational programs like our Autism Nights, we will work to create public awareness and community support.”

According to Landers, Every Piece Matters began after she and other volunteers began selling T-shirts five years ago to raise funds. The group donated around $1,400 to the Autism Society of Alabama.

Landers said while that was a wonderful thing, she was curious where those funds went.

And so, Every Pieve Matters was born to help out students locally.

The group gets a wish list from teachers and raises funds to help fulfil those requests. They also donate $1,000 once a month to a special education program across one of 12 local schools.

On top of that, each year a special needs student receives a scholarship to help with college expenses.

“After Every Piece Matters was started, it’s been a dream of mine to do more,” Landers said.
I have an amazing team behind me. I am a Deshler graduate, and so are several members of my team.”

In order to do more, the group sought out grant funding, and they were successful.

Landers and other board members of Every Piece Matters attended the April 8 meeting of the Tuscumbia City Schools Board of Education with a special announcement.

“We are donating a developmental center to Deshler High School, with help,” Landers said during the meeting. “It is an apartment-like room where kids with special needs can learn to take care of themselves after they get out of high school.

“They are going to learn how to cook, clean, wash clothes, everything they need to do. This is with the help of Heather Mize (Deshler High Career Tech director). She got a grant of $5,000 that will cover all the appliances for this room, which is huge. Before that we asked the public for donations, and we bought some things out of our own pockets. We have gotten beds, mattresses, and a kitchen table donated.”

But that was not all. During the group’s presentation, Landers said just that day Every Piece Matters had received even more grant funding, another $5,000, that will cover sensory lighting and furniture for the room.

“It will be done in time for next school year,” she said.

Once Landers and the other Every Piece Matters members had completed their presentation, they were met with thunderous applause from the board members, teachers and parents present in the Deshler High School library where the meeting was held.

“We are glad to be able to do what we do, and we appreciate everyone who wanted to be a part of it,” Landers said. “Don’t ever count anybody on the spectrum out. A lot of times those kids get a label put on them very early, and they shouldn’t.”