Welcome to Specially Gifted Foundation. We’re Bree Lanham and Macey Belter, and we’re honored to share our story with you.
Our journey began long before we founded this organization five years ago. For Bree, it started with her sister Kendall, who has severe cerebral palsy. Growing up alongside Kendall opened Bree’s eyes to the unique challenges and joys that come with having a family member with disabilities.
Macey’s path intersected with the Kernion family twelve years ago when she became Kendall’s therapy facilitator. Over the years, Macey witnessed firsthand the resilience, love, and determination that define families in the disability community.
Our experiences led us to a shared vision: creating a foundation that could make a real difference in the lives of families like the Kernions. We wanted to offer support, resources, and a sense of community to those navigating the complex world of raising children with disabilities.
As we reflect on our five-year journey, we’re continually amazed and inspired by the wonderful families we serve. The strength and spirit of these children and their loved ones drive us forward every day. We’re also deeply grateful for our generous supporters who make our work possible. Their contributions have been crucial in helping us reach and assist more families in need.
This journey has been more rewarding than we could have ever imagined. We’ve seen firsthand how the right support can transform lives, bringing hope and joy to families facing unique challenges.
As we look to the future, we’re more committed than ever to expanding our reach and deepening our impact. With your support, we can continue to make a difference, one family at a time.
Thank you for being part of our Specially Gifted family.
With gratitude,
Bree Lanham & Macey Belter
Co-founders, Specially Gifted Foundation
As a Registered Nurse working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, I’ve dedicated my career to healthcare and advocacy for children with disabilities. My journey to co-founding Specially Gifted Foundation is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful to me.
My passion for this work stems from my family’s experience with my younger sister, Kendall, who has severe disabilities. Kendall is the purest soul I know, and our family’s journey with her opened my eyes to the unique challenges and joys that come with caring for a child with disabilities. It was in 2019 that I decided it was time to make my dream of creating an organization to support families like mine a reality, leading to the birth of Specially Gifted.
Together with my co-founder Macey, we established Specially Gifted Foundation five years ago. Since then, it has been a beautiful and rewarding journey serving families who have children with disabilities. My professional experience as a nurse, combined with my personal insights from growing up with Kendall, has given me a unique perspective on the needs of these special families.
I’m immensely proud of all we’ve accomplished in the last five years. We’ve been fortunate to work with incredibly generous partners who share our vision and have helped us make a real difference in our community. Every day, I’m inspired by the resilience and love I see in the families we serve.
As I look to the future, I’m filled with excitement for what’s to come. Specially Gifted Foundation has already touched so many lives, and I’m committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact. This work is more than just a job for me—it’s a calling, a way to honor Kendall and all the extraordinary children like her.
I invite you to join us in our mission. Together, we can continue to support, empower, and celebrate families of children with disabilities, creating a more inclusive and understanding world for all.
Hey y’all, I’m Macey! For over 12 years, I’ve dedicated my life to serving the disability community, a calling that has shaped my personal and professional path in profound ways.
My journey began with a beautiful friendship that changed my life forever. As a Therapy Facilitator for Kendall (whom we lovingly call ‘KK’), I discovered a bond that transcended typical caregiver relationships. KK, with her pure joy and unconditional love, opened my eyes to the unique challenges and incredible potential of children with special needs. Our connection became the cornerstone of my passion for this community and continues to inspire me every day.
This passion led me across the world to Australia, where I spent a transformative year as an AuPair for a 9-year-old girl with autism. Working closely with her family and implementing the Son-Rise program, while also volunteering with various disability support initiatives, I gained invaluable insights into different approaches to care and support. This immersive experience only deepened my commitment to serving the special needs community.
When KK’s sister, Bree, approached me in 2019 with an idea for an organization that would benefit families like hers, I knew instantly that this was an opportunity to make a broader impact. Together, we co-founded Specially Gifted Foundation. The name, ‘Specially Gifted’, reflects our belief that all children have unique gifts, regardless of their abilities.
Professionally, I lead marketing and growth strategy for impact-driven startups, currently serving as Vice President of Marketing at a tech company in the education space. At SGF, I apply this expertise daily, exploring innovative ways to support families and advocate for inclusivity – all inspired by what I’ve learned from KK and others in the special needs community.
I firmly believe in creating environments where every child’s gifts can flourish. This drives everything we do at SGF. As we continue to grow, I invite you to join our journey. Together, we’re building a future where every individual’s unique abilities are celebrated.
Thank you for being part of our SGF family. Let’s keep creating magical moments for these special families – the best is yet to come!
Hey everyone, my name is Parker Burgess. I am a graduate of Harding University with a BBA in Global Economic Development (International Business). I have a background in the healthcare industry, in the outdoor recreation industry, and in small business development. I am a former small business owner, and a former personal caretaker for individuals with Dementia. My current position is with NHC Place at the Trace in Nashville, TN, directing the financial department for Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, and Memory Care units as their Business Office Manager.
I became connected with SGF through our Co-Founder Macey Belter and was immediately struck with the desire to learn as much about the people and the mission as I possibly could. I am incredibly honored to now be joining the amazing team at Specially Gifted Foundation as Treasurer. I look forward to being able to put my experience and abilities to use as we try to further the SGF mission.
My name is Andrew Lanham and I am married to one of the beautiful co-founders, Breann. I attended Walton High School and am a graduate of The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) with a BBA in Risk Management & Insurance.
Currently, I work for AmWINS Brokerage of Georgia as a Property AVP and serve as a Board Member for the Specially Gifted Foundation (SGF).
My first personal experience around a special needs child was spent with my now sister-in-law, Kendall. Quickly after meeting her and being showered with hugs and kisses, I began to truly understand how special she is and fortunate I am to have met and joined this amazing family.
Looking forward to this incredible journey and the wonderful families we meet along the way with the rest of the SGF crew!
I’m Lindsey, and I’ve been with SGF since its inception! Over the years, I’ve worn many hats within the organization, but currently, I’m thrilled to be managing our social media presence and coordinating our largest community event, the Spring in the Valley Festival in Northwest Georgia.
My passion for this work is deeply personal. As a sibling to someone with disabilities, I understand firsthand the unique joys and challenges faced by families in our community. This perspective has driven my professional path as well – I’ve worked as both a therapy facilitator and a behavior therapist for children with disabilities, experiences that continually inform my work at SGF.
Born and raised in Rome, GA, I still call this wonderful community home. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications from Georgia State University, which has been invaluable in my role at SGF. Now, I live here with my husband, Patrick, and our blended family. We have two daughters together, Josephine and Sarah Jane, and I’m also a proud bonus mom to our oldest, Addison.
At SGF, I’m able to combine my personal experiences, professional background, and creative skills to support and uplift families touched by disabilities. Whether I’m crafting engaging social media content or bringing our community together at the Spring in the Valley Festival, my goal is always to foster love, support, opportunity, and community for those with special needs and their families.
I’m grateful and excited to continue this journey with SGF, making a difference in the lives of families just like mine.
My journey with SGF began in their founding year of 2020, when I attended their first metro-Atlanta fundraising event and met founder Bree and her husband Andrew. As a parent of a child with special needs, SGF’s mission deeply resonated with me.
I live in Smyrna, GA with my wife Chris and our son McAlister (Mac). As a board member, I’m honored to help expand SGF’s reach and enhance the resources we provide to families navigating special needs journeys. I look forward to contributing both my professional expertise and personal experience to further SGF’s mission of supporting families in our community.
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