A Ramona mom has turned a heartbreaking loss into help for individuals affected by disabilities.
From friendship therapy horses to Saturday arts and crafts, it’s all part of the Capability Ranch Special Needs Activities & Events Center for Youth & Young Adults in Ramona.
“I started Capability Ranch to provide a creative fun outlet,” said owner Nicola Bridges.
It's a non-profit, activities center for teens and young adults with developmental disabilities like Jenna Sacco.
“It helped me get creative and meet more people so I can be more social with more people. And there’s all kinds of cool stuff that happens here ," Sacco told NBC 7.
For all the happiness that Capability Ranch brings Sacco and many others, there's a heartbreaking story that sparked it's opening in January last year.
Bridges' son Jack Godfrey was knocked unconscious in October, 2013 after being sucker punched once in the head, prosecutors said. He fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground and suffered serious skull and brain injuries.
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Though he recovered and returned to college, he died just over a year later, just a few months after his 21st birthday.
According to the results of an autopsy, his death was the result of complications caused by his injury.
“We said life needs to change. I want to give back ,” Bridges said.
Her son Owen has autism.
Two months after Jack's death, Capability Ranch opened in Ramona. Bridges named a barn "Jack Shack" in her son's honor.
She says it's a place where youths and young adults are introduced to arts and crafts, creepy critters and other experiences they may never have.
“I feel when we come together as a group, doing our activities and events, it's keeping Jack's spirit alive,” she said.
She told NBC 7 that she plans to carry on her tradition of hiking to Potato Chip Rock with her son’s ashes, so she can be closer to him in heaven.
If you’d like more information about Capability Ranch and how you can help, click here.
