"I Can Too" Impact Stories

Addie, Oklahoma City, OK:

"For a long time I have told myself I can do hard things. When I swim a new stroke or at a cheer competition when I get nervous I say this to myself all the time. Just because I have a disability does NOT mean I can not do things! If I want to do something I try my best. Like when i told my mom i wanted to go to OU she told me to apply so she helped me and I did. I had to interview and showed I could find my way around campus which I did and they accepted me! I know I will go back to my high school one day and be a TA and help other people other have a harder time than me."

Sam The I Can Man Foundation gave a grant to Addie to help with her first semester of school at the OU Sooner Works program.

The image here was one shared with us on her move in day!

Think Ability, Duncan, OK:

"These funds will give five individuals with differing abilities the ability to say I CAN, and I AM! We have highly motivated individuals waiting for their turn to show just how capable they are as they run their popsicle stand, serving and interacting with their community, and becoming self-sufficient."

"For the Sam The I Can Man Foundation to create opportunity from heartbreak is such a beautiful inspiration and example for others. We remain proud to be a partner organization, sharing and aligning our missions."

Sam The I Can Man Foundation gave a grant to Think Ability, Inc. to help launch their mission pops business that helps employ individuals with differing abilities. They all work on creating their own flavors and selling them at their cafe and community events!

The image here shows the freezer that was Sam The I Can Man Foundation helped purchase and Denise and Micah with their mission pops.

Asher, Harrison, AR:

"Asher had surgery on both legs recently and it will be so nice to have somewhere comfortable and safe to put him that isn’t the ground! It’s so much easier to give him meds and food without having to bend down super low and so much easier to pick him up! Life changing in many ways and we can never say thank you enough!"

"The PPod chair Asher was granted is now a daily staple in our house! He is now 3 weeks post-op surgery on both hips, and has had a hard time getting comfortable but is always content in his new chair. It is so much easier for myself to get Asher in and out of the PPod chair as it sits higher than your typical comfortable support chair. It has been such a relief to know we have somewhere safe and comfortable to put Asher when we need to get things done around the house! We are forever grateful for the PPod chair, it will continue to improve our daily routine for years to come!"

Sam The I Can Man Foundation gave a grant for Asher to receive a PPod chair and all the accessories to go along with it.

The Image here was shared with us after he received the chair!

DSACO, Oklahoma City, OK:

"Launching a button-making business isn’t just about producing and selling a product—it’s about building confidence, learning new skills, engaging with the community, and showing others what’s possible. With each button created and every interaction at a sales table, our self-advocates will be living out Sam’s legacy—choosing to believe in their potential and proving they can too."

"We have purchased 2 button machines and all the equipment we need for our photo button business. We have named it 'Can Do Buttons'"

Sam The I Can Man Foundation gave a grant to the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma to help launch their Self Advocacy Center's button making business. This opens doors for the self-advocates to design, create, and sell custom buttons as part of a small business initiative. This hands-on project allows them practice job-related skills such as customer service, technology use, product development, and money management.

The images here show some of the self advocates making buttons!