“Look for Dawn, the hopeful redhead in her powerchair,” Sunnyvale resident Dawn Bozarth tells attendees of Breaking Boundaries social meetups for adults aged 25-55ish with limited mobility.

In an act of defiance as well as hope, Bozarth marked the 10th anniversary since multiple sclerosis (MS) changed her life by launching a social community to rebuild the connections often lost when navigating disability.

“I spent years adjusting to loss. At one point, it felt like my social life just stopped, but limited mobility shouldn’t mean a limited life,” said Bozarth. “Breaking Boundaries is about reclaiming connection—not just for me, but for others who’ve been quietly pushed to the edges.”

Bozarth launched Breaking Boundaries, serving Santa Clara County, on June 5 with a meetup at The Magic Forest, a redwood grove in Rinconda Park in Palo Alto. It was the first of the summer meetups—from nature to nightlife—at venues vetted for accessibility.

One attendee was Sunnyvale resident Stuart Norton, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and wears leg braces to aid his balance.

“The first event was really fun! I was impressed by the interesting people that were there, and I enjoyed talking with them,” said Norton, a former software engineer. “I really appreciated the opportunity to get together with diverse people from all walks of life—because disability doesn’t spare anyone.”

Eight people with limited mobility, nine plus-ones, and a service dog attended the event. They came from Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto, San Jose, Sunnyvale—and even Trinidad!

“The launch exceeded anything I could have hoped for. I was overjoyed with the turnout!” said Bozarth. “What stood out most was how naturally people connected with one another. It gives me tremendous hope and excitement for what’s ahead.” 

Bozarth, who lives with two emotional support bunnies, is a former project analyst and was a Top 100 fundraiser for Colorado’s Walk MS in 2010, early in her diagnosis of MS. She emphasizes that Breaking Boundaries is not like an informational support group that meets on Zoom. It is a social community focusing on friendship and shared experiences.

“We are connecting as people first, not patients,” said Bozarth. “At our first event, I watched friendships form in real-time. People were hugging, laughing and sharing life. That magnetic sense of belonging is impossible to recreate on a screen. You can spend years talking online and still find yourself spending Friday night alone.”

“Community is really important, especially for underrepresented folks like those with disabilities,” said  Norton. “In a time when many of us are feeling disconnected from upsetting events in the world, Breaking Boundaries is an opportunity to connect socially with members of my local community in a new and different way.”

Breaking Boundaries defines those with limited mobility—whether temporary or long term—as anyone who requires pacing, planning or extra support to comfortably participate in outings.

“Limited mobility may change how we navigate and participate in the world, but it shouldn’t prevent us from being part of it,” said Bozarth, who started actively planning Breaking Boundaries six months before its launch.

Visit Breaking Boundaries on Meetup.com for information, including the list of upcoming free or low-cost meetups. Bozarth uses VTA ACCESS Paratransit to get around.

“It’s important for everyone to get out and build connections when we can, even when—like me—you are a bit shy!” said Norton. “Breaking Boundaries makes that a little bit easier for those of us with disabilities.”

“This is my ten-year mark,” said Bozarth, “And instead of letting that anniversary define what I’ve lost, I wanted it to mark what I’m building.”

Breaking Boundaries is grateful to the community-focused pharmacy Q-Bit Wellness for its sponsorship.

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