Our Story
It all started as a typical special needs ministry at Redeemer Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in 2012. We named it Special Nation and the mission was to provide special needs families with the opportunity go to church together, regardless of the severity of the disability. God’s ways are greater than our ways. Special Nation created a platform for a much greater purpose. In an unexpected turn of events, a paradigm shift took place when Amy Groshell, a hope-filled, heroic Special Nation parent, took a leap of faith and flew in a communication expert for her daughter, Gentry. She invited other families and professionals associated with Special Nation and the concept of presumed competence and supported typing were introduced. Everything changed. The Special Nation community began to grow and bond in ways that brought healing. We began treating each person age-appropriately, which offered dignity, as we learned that these individuals have far more to teach us than we could ever teach them. Belonging was birthed. Today we are honored to have as part of the Special Nation family 31 individuals impacted by profound autism or similar challenges and their families. And we are continuing to grow. Families are discovering improved quality of life, inner healing and meaningful relationships that weren't possible before. When justly and accurately perceived, this nation has a unique ability to teach the rest of us a perspective that has been hidden from the world.
Through Special Nation we realized that there exists this beautiful Hidden Nation consisting of poets, artists, authors and advocates inaccurately defined by their outward presentation, social stumblings and misinterpreted behaviors. We now know that across the world these individuals long to be seen, given basic civil rights, in relationship and heard. Our mission through the Hidden Nation Foundation is to create awareness and encourage presumed competence, community, and communication for those living with autism and other forms of neurological differences. Join us and seek who is within the Hidden Nation so that they are hidden no longer!
Through Special Nation we realized that there exists this beautiful Hidden Nation consisting of poets, artists, authors and advocates inaccurately defined by their outward presentation, social stumblings and misinterpreted behaviors. We now know that across the world these individuals long to be seen, given basic civil rights, in relationship and heard. Our mission through the Hidden Nation Foundation is to create awareness and encourage presumed competence, community, and communication for those living with autism and other forms of neurological differences. Join us and seek who is within the Hidden Nation so that they are hidden no longer!