CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Fantastic Friends of Western New York hosted its fifth annual Special Needs Prom Friday night.
"A special needs individual might not feel like they fit in at a typical prom," said Lindsay Bessey, Assistant Director of Fantastic Friends. "This allows them to be with their peers and not feel like they're being judged in any way."
The Special Needs Prom kicked off at 6 p.m. at the South Line Fire Hall with food, a photo booth, and a conga line on the dance floor.
"[I'm excited to] hang out with my friends and just have fun," said Ashley Fryling, a high school senior. "I'm excited and happy."
Fryling was adopted at the age of six by Lisa Catanese, who said it's often difficult for her daughter to have the "typical" high school experience.
"Having a child that is cognitively vulnerable, it's hard to do those types of things that every parent wants to do," Catanese said. "We get our hair done, our nails done. We take advantage of this to its absolute fullest, just like anybody would take advantage of their senior prom."
The dance floor wasn't limited to those with disabilities. The attendees were paired up with a one-on-one buddy from a local school to be their dates.
"That's a game changer," Catanese said. "That's going to help our society be more welcoming and warm towards those that have differences."
The festivities wrapped up around 10 p.m., and it was certainly a night to remember.
"They leave here and they feel like they are on top of the world," Bessey said. "It's so heartwarming, and it just fuels you to keep going and do more for them."
