The Salt & Light Spotlight Presents #EndersbysHeroes
A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
Christopher Reeve (Superman)
In March, we honor many different occasions here at It’s Only Homeschooling. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday/National Read Across America Day (March 2), Music Therapy Month, Super Mario Day (March 10), Johnny Appleseed Day (March 11), National Good Samaritan’s Day (March 13), Pi Day (March 14), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), and International Waffle Day (March 25) to name a few.
Whether our celebrations are wacky or wondrous, we count Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month among our favorites.
In honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we continue our ongoing celebration of neurodiversity here at It’s Only Homeschooling by shining our spotlight on a small business that is making a BIG impact for families of medically fragile children and children with disabilities. We are honored to shine our Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight on Endersby Productions.
From Magical Beginnings to Making Magic
Small business owners Scott and Nicole Endersby met in 2004 at the “happiest place on earth,” Walt Disney World. Scott was a photographer and Nicole was a Retail Services Guest Manager. By 2008, the pair had left Walt & Company behind and relocated to the Lone Star State. In 2010, the couple teamed up to launch Endersby Productions, a photography and videography business.
It was both professional and personal experience that led to the founding of their community outreach project in 2013 (now known as #EndersbysHeroes).
Longing for Community
Listening to Nicole share about the early years when her oldest son was first diagnosed with autism, I feel an all too familiar pang.
Longing. Loneliness. Isolation.
It feels like a lifetime ago now, but in an instant, those feelings come rushing back. I see Nicole, mom to mom.
Wandering lost in the wilderness in a strange new world of different, you seek camaraderie. Desperately pursuing connection and guidance not only to appease the ache of unwelcome solitude but also to comfort as you face the fears of the unknown. Searching for mentors and friends to stand beside you and traveling companions to walk with you on this journey to encourage you.
Oh, how I remember being there.
My journey led me to create this website, blog, vlog, and podcast. Along the way, I have met many wonderful parent advocates just like Scott and Nicole. Grassroots founders like Sue Hille of DCD Kids, waymakers like Cyndi Bunch of Phillip’s Wish and Christina Cheng of Under My Umbrella, life changers like Maddie Churchman of Christ’s Haven, and poverty awareness warriors like Aaron Frazita of H.earts I.n M.otion.
Nicole and Scott’s journey led them to take action.
The Endersbys saw a need in the world and decided to do something about it.
We Can Be Heroes
Not all superheroes wear capes. Some view the world through a different lens.
The couple began their give-back campaign in 2013 with their “Go Blue in the Bluebonnets,” Campaign to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April. (Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas and are only in bloom for a few short weeks in the spring.) In 2019, they expanded their efforts to include families of medically fragile children and families of children with disabilities.
As parents to three young boys, two of whom are diagnosed with autism and one who is diagnosed with ADHD, the couple understood all too well the challenges faced by families of children with special needs.
Seemingly simple activities that so many of us take for granted are often monumental tasks for families whose children experience sensory processing issues, developmental delays, major illness, mobility limitations, or speech or communication challenges.
Getting a haircut, watching a movie in a public theater, or capturing a family memory with a photographer can be challenging at best or seem impossible at worst.
That is, unless, you have caring, compassionate professionals willing to go the extra mile.
Professionals who truly see you as a person and as a parent because they have walked in your shoes.
Professionals like Scott and Nicole Endersby.
Expanding Their Village
Working with families of children with autism was only the beginning. In 2019, “Go Blue in the Texas Bluebonnets” became #EndersbysHeroes.
Feeling inspired by the recent work of another professional in the industry, Scott and Nicole put their imaginations and their talents to work. A healthy dose of patience, kindness, and love, combined with a touch of digital magic, and voila!
Great kids became super kids!
Before long, word began to spread of their philanthropy, talents, and genuine love of others, and soon, referrals came flooding in.
Working with the knowledge that families of children with special needs often face additional financial burdens and constraints, Scott and Nicole offered their services to the families free of charge.
Servant-hearted and community-minded, tithing their talents to change lives one photo session at a time.
Wearers of Many Hats
The Endersbys embody what it means to be an advocate.
From advocating for all families of children with special needs and individuals with disabilities, not just autism, to tirelessly volunteering their skills with the #EndersbyHeroes Campaign and homeschooling their three children you would think the family’s plate was quite full.
It is.
But that doesn’t mean their outreach efforts end with this campaign. The couple also volunteers their photography and videography talents to special needs events such as the DFW Special Needs Prom, Amy’s Wish With Wings Equine Assisted Services, the Circle of Friends Formal, RISE Adaptive Sports, Adapt-Able Scuba, and countless others.
Endersbys Productions’ efforts have also caught the attention of the media having been featured on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, 11 Alive, PopSugar, and WFAA ABC 8 to name a few.
But by far, the greatest accolades are from the families they serve.
“I am truly grateful, you guys have the biggest hearts and are so selfless. I love how Perrin is sitting up holding his mask in the picture. I love what you all do and the why. All of the photos of our children are so amazing and magical. Y’all have been such a blessing for our family, we will cherish these images forever.
Valori King / PRAY FOR PERRIN
As parents, we were honored to be given this gift to make our kids feel 10 feet tall. There was no communication hurdle for my son to have to jump or uncomfortable social setting that he couldn’t sit through. They were just invited to have fun and we let the photographer (Scott) do the hard work. Life with special needs kids is challenging and expensive. These pictures would likely not have been something that we elected to have paid for, due to the other support supplies, devices, and therapies.”
“This moment he captured, this flight they were given, this was the gift of a true wizard.”
Beth / POP Sugar Quote 2019
My children were photographed for #endersbyheroes. We were met with a professional, friendly atmosphere and it was truly a pleasure from beginning to end. Our photos are perfect and will be treasured for years to come. I cannot recommend a better company for all your photo needs.”
Chasaty / DanielSauraus Wrecks Your Heart
Forever Hero Thor Daniel
Looking Ahead
As we chatted, the couple noted the lack of available resources for adults with special needs and disabilities as they age out of the system.
Looking to the future, Scott and Nicole dream of expanding their photography and videography business to include hiring individuals with special needs, an often desired and coveted yet sparsely available resource in the special needs community.
While Endersbys Productions is not quite there yet, with enough support they are confident they will one day achieve this goal.
How to Nominate a Hero
Once a local outreach effort, #Endersbys Heroes is now a nationwide campaign. For families who would like to participate, but who do not live in the DFW area, Scott and Nicole offer the option of a remote photography and digital editing session by offering families professional guidance virtually. Oftentimes, families will have their own attire for the shoot on hand, but if needed costumes can be shipped to them free of charge.
Endersbys Heroes is no longer just for kids. Adults with disabilities can be transformed into their favorite superheroes, too!
To learn more about how to nominate a hero, click here.
Help a Hero Soar
As Endersbys Productions, the founders of #EndersbysHeroes, is a small business and not a non-profit, funding to support this outreach effort is secured primarily through crowdfunding.
Each Hero family will have a community crowdfunding campaign to reach a set goal. If a Hero has excess funds in their goals, those funds will go to our Forever Heroes, which are those with a terminal illness or that have already passed on. Families personally reach out to us for these memory images.
Scott & Nicole Endersby, Endersbys Productions
There are multiple ways to support this amazing cause.
Financial Support. If you would like to make a financial contribution to support a Hero, visit their website and click on the red “Support a Hero” button. Monetary donations in varying amounts of either one-time or monthly increments are available.
Small Business Support. In need of photography or videography services? Headshots or portraits? Perhaps commercial or real estate photography services? Maybe you have an event coming up and need a videographer? Reach out to Scott and Nicole! Supporting their small business helps them in turn continue to support a plethora of well-deserving causes through the generous donation of their time and talent.
Social Media Shout-Outs. Ever humble, Scott and Nicole are also quick to point out there are other non-financial ways to support #EndersbysHeroes. Help them get the word out about their crowdfunding campaigns or give a shout-out on social media to the community outreach programs they support, like Amy’s Wish With Wings, NTX SNAP, Adapt-Able Scuba, and Heroic Inner Kids to name a few.
Put on Your Advocate Hat. Step out of your comfort zone and broaden your mind by showing a willingness to educate yourself and learn about disability awareness and neurodiversity awareness. But don’t stop there! With your newly gained knowledge, put on your advocate hat and educate others. Become an ally.
There is great comfort in community. Come be a part of our village!
Want To Know More?
Be sure to tune in to our next podcast episodes to learn more about #EndersbysHeroes. In these Salt & Light SERVE Spotlight episodes, we will speak to Scott and Nicole about their advocacy and philanthropy work. Listen in as we learn how #EndersbysHeroes came to be and where it’s going next.
You can listen right here on our website, on our YouTube channel, at Podbean, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Samsung.
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
