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ESP in Athens

@esp.athens

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ESP exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities & their families, changing communities for the better. 💙🧡💛 @esp_inc

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@georgiafootball & @esp.athens !!!

for an hour, it wasn’t “what could’ve gone better” or “how can you improve”, but it was “you’re my favorite player” and “nice to meet you”. it wasn’t scheduled media time, but scheduled play time.

these kids might not know depth charts or peyton’s stats or where these guys are projected as draft picks. but they do know this team made time for them, picked them up, made them laugh, and for just 30 minutes they know their world is perfect💌

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Always a great day hanging out with ESP for the annual Bulldogs & Buddies event!

Hear from Dawgs that have been impacted by this awesome event!

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Another Bulldogs and Buddies in the books! Ain’t nothing finer in the land than an extra special Georgia fan!

#esp #UGA #ugafootball #allabilities #extraspecial

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Bulldogs and Buddies was an absolute dream! 🐾❤️

Kash had the most amazing time meeting the UGA band, the cheerleaders, the players, and even Coach Kirby Smart—and having his big sister there as his buddy made it even sweeter!

While physical touch can sometimes be a struggle, Kash was so excited that he was initiating the connection himself, and his music-loving heart was in heaven happily snatching pompoms right from the cheerleaders’ hands. Pushing the coaches and players away🤣 is just how he rolls.

🎶📣 We also have to give a huge shoutout to our sweet cookie lady for the amazing custom cookies Kash got to hand out! 🍪✨

But honestly? The best part of the entire day wasn’t meeting the team or the coaches. It was finding our community. It was seeing the happy faces of individuals who struggle and fight disabilities all day long come together, light up, and brighten the entire event with their beautiful smiles. 🥹🤍

We went home with more than just signed autographs and pictures—we went home with memories that we will cherish forever.

We are so incredibly thankful to be a part of the Extra Special People (ESP)organization. Finding your village as a family with disabilities is everything, and ESP creates a space where our individuals are truly seen, celebrated, and included.
Our hearts are so full! 🤍🐾

#KashsTribe #ESP #UGA #TuberousSclerosisComplexWarrior #RareDiseaseWarrior

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hard to beat fall in athens🤍🏈🫂

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thinking about when those awkward moments turn into “aha” as @laurahopewhitaker always says!!
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@esp.athens #college #football #disabiltyawareness #inclusion #uga

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Cy got “Luckie” this year at Bulldogs and Buddies!!!

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15 years of Bulldogs & Buddies. But ya know what was different about this year??

Every year, at the end of practice, Coach releases the players and our members RUN to them like they’ve been waiting their whole lives for this moment. And some have!

This year, the players were practicing in the indoor facility while our members patiently waited outside.
The doors opened and….. The players RAN to our stunned members— and they ran like they had been waiting their whole lives for this moment. And maybe they have.

200 members. A whole team of big Bulldogs with big hearts. Thank you, @georgiafootball , for spending your week “off” very much ON—sharing the ball, your time, and your joy with some of your biggest fans.

Bulldog Nation, follow their lead. When you love something, don’t walk… RUN. 🐾❤️✨

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🌈🎈 WELL, HELLO DOLLY! 🎈🌈

She’s got big hair, big personality, and a COAT OF MANY COLORS!

And she’s officially made her debut at Stripling’s in Oconee County!

We had SO much fun creating our very own Dolly Parton-inspired hay bale for Stripling’s annual hay bale decorating contest benefiting Extra Special People (ESP)! 💕

From her colorful handmade coat to her larger-than-life hair, this girl was definitely a labor of love!

And now we need YOUR help!

🗳️ VOTING HAS BEGUN!

Every $1 vote supports ESP and the incredible work they do for individuals with disabilities and their families.

📍 Stop by Stripling’s in Bogart to see Dolly in person!

💖 Voting runs October 20–31.

We’d love your support — and Dolly would too! SEE LINK IN BIO TO VOTE 🦋

#DollyParton #CoatOfManyColors #striplingsbogart #esp.Athens #whatwoulddollydo

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🏈❤️ OPERATION FIRST DOWN

29 new Georgia Bulldogs. 29 handwritten letters of encouragement.

Why?

Because Caitlin wanted these young men to feel seen, supported, and celebrated—even before the rest of the world knows their names.

Because that’s what Pick 6 With Caitlin is all about.

Football. Community. Inclusion. Hope.

First downs aren’t flashy. Not like touchdowns.

They’re about showing up. Putting in the work. Making progress toward a goal.

Sometimes you gain ground. Sometimes you lose a little.

But you keep showing up. Keep preparing. Keep believing.

Because every first down moves you closer to the end zone.

And that’s what we’re doing here, too. One small act of encouragement at a time.

❤️ We filmed this video last Tuesday, well before the chaos of Saturday.

And somehow, in her closing words of encouragement to the players, Caitlin used the word “chaos.”

A word she rarely, if ever, uses.

I don’t know what prompted her to choose that particular word. But I do know this:

Caitlin has a way of surprising us with the wisdom and love in her words.

Sometimes we just need to slow down long enough to listen.

Go Dawgs! ❤️🐾

Grateful for moments like this with @esp.athens #

#godawgs #operationfirstdown #bulldogsandbuddies

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LAST CALL! 🪂 We’re making one final push to reach the $15,000 goal for Big Jump! If you haven’t heard, I’m jumping out of a plane this week to raise money for ESP! 😱

Every donation and share helps! 💙 The link is in my bio! 🔗

#lilydmoore #espathens #skydiving #downsyndromeawareness #fundraising

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It’s Bulldogs & Buddies Week! 🐶

For 15 years, UGA Football players and coaches have made time during their bye week to stay after practice, spend time with our ESP Members, and create memories that last a lifetime.

It’s a tradition that reminds us what being a Bulldog is all about, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate 15 years of Bulldogs & Buddies than by sharing a little joy with YOU!

To celebrate this special week, we’re hosting a giveaway! Swipe to see some of the goodies one lucky winner could take home!

Here’s how to enter:
🐾 Follow @esp_inc, @esp.athens, and @laurahopewhitaker
🐾 Share this post
🐾 Comment your favorite Bulldog player for extra entries!

Want to spread even more Bulldog joy? ❤️ Consider making a gift to help ESP create more moments of joy, connection, and belonging for people with disabilities and their families. Let’s celebrate the Bulldogs and pass the joy forward!

Link in bio to give.

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