More Than Able: A Story That Proves We’re All Capable of Extraordinary Things
This past Friday wasn’t just another day at Able to Serve—it was a day that reminded us all why representation matters and why seeing someone who shares your journey succeed can change everything. Jacob Price walked through our doors not as a celebrity or distant inspiration, but as one of us. As a member of the disability community himself, Jacob came to share his remarkable journey with our participants—and in doing so, he showed them a mirror of what their own futures could hold.
This is what makes Jacob’s visit so powerful. He wasn’t speaking to our community; he was speaking from within it. Every challenge he’s faced, every door that seemed closed, every time someone tried to define his limits—our participants understand those experiences all too well. And that’s precisely why his story resonates so deeply.
Redefining What’s Possible
Jacob’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He began as an athlete, channeling his determination and discipline into Special Olympics skiing competitions where he didn’t just participate—he excelled. Jacob brought home gold medals, proving that dedication and heart can overcome any obstacle placed in your path.
But Jacob didn’t stop there. With passion burning in his heart for something more, he ventured into the world of acting—a field that rarely opens its doors to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jacob’s success is built on a foundation of many supporters, with producer John Vogel serving as a particularly spirited champion and mentor in his acting journey. John saw in Jacob what his family, coaches, and community had always known—genuine talent, emotional depth, and a powerful story worth sharing.
Meeting John and seeing his genuine respect and admiration for Jacob showed our participants something vital—that real allies exist, and that pursuing your dreams often means finding people who will champion you along the way.
An Afternoon of Questions, Answers, and Possibility
Our participants gathered around Jacob and John, curious about Jacob, and he was open to answering their questions. Each question was met with Jacob & John’s genuine enthusiasm and honesty. For our participants, many of whom have been told what they can’t do their entire lives, watching Jacob speak about what he has done was transformative.
Lights, Camera, Inspiration
The highlight of the day came when Jacob and John screened a portion of More Than Able: God’s Plan for Buddy for our group. Watching Jacob on screen—commanding scenes, delivering emotional performances—was powerful beyond words.
The film itself tells Buddy’s true story: a young man born with special needs who was told he’d never amount to much, but who defied every expectation through faith, family, and determination. Sound familiar? It should—because it’s a story that echoes the potential within every person at Able to Serve.
The Message That Matters Most
Jacob’s visit taught our participants something that no curriculum or workshop ever could: your limits are not defined by other people’s imagination. Too often, individuals with disabilities are told what they can’t achieve before they’re ever given the chance to try. They’re steered away from their passions, discouraged from developing their talents, and handed a narrow definition of what their lives can be.
Jacob’s story—from Special Olympics champion to film star—shatters those narratives. He followed his passions. He developed his talents. And he refused to let anyone else’s perception become his reality. Jacob’s story affirms the heart of Able to Serve’s mission—helping participants discover and develop their God-given potential through those who truly understand their world. When our participants see someone like Jacob succeeding in unexpected places—on a movie screen, at a Special Olympics podium, pursuing dreams that society often reserves for others—it fundamentally changes what they believe is possible for themselves.
Thank you, Jacob and John, for reminding us that we are all—every single one of us—More Than Able.
