02/04/2026
Autism Acceptance Month feels like the perfect time to share the heart behind Buckeye Balloon Designs ❤️
In 2021, my son Wesley was diagnosed with level 3 autism, along with ADHD and a moderate learning disability. One thing that has always brought him pure joy, though, is balloons. From the time he was little, they’ve been his thing. But that also meant every trip to the park or event with a balloon display could quickly turn overwhelming if there were balloons he couldn’t have, it often led to really hard BIG emotions, also to leaving events early and upset.
So I started making our own!
What began as creating balloon setups for his birthday parties just so he could have balloons that were his and before I knew it, balloons became a constant in our home. We always had them around because they brought him comfort, joy, and sensory regulation ..and somewhere along the way, I realized they brought me joy too. I loved creating them… and I wasn’t half bad at it.
At the same time, I was navigating how hard it is to find a job that works with the kind of schedule my son needs. Between appointments, therapies, and the unpredictability that comes with raising a child with more complex needs, a traditional job just wasn’t realistic for our family. This business, though, has been something that truly works for us, it gives me the flexibility to be there for him while still building something of my own.
Buckeye Balloon Designs wasn’t started as a business plan, it started as a way to bring comfort, joy, and calm to my child in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming for him. It became something that fit into our life, instead of something that pulled me away from it.
And now, it’s grown into something I get to share with others.
This month especially, I’m reminded that acceptance isn’t just awareness, it’s creating spaces where our kids can feel safe, included, and celebrated exactly as they are. And for us, it all started with a balloon and a dream. 🎈