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The Heart Behind The Brady Effect

The Brady Effect was founded in 2024 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to make swim safety and education more accessible to individuals on the autism spectrum. Currently, we are focused on serving families in Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio, with hopes of expanding in the future.

Brady’s Legacy

The Brady Effect was created out of an unimaginable loss—one that no family should ever have to endure. In September 2024, we lost Brady Donnelly in a tragic drowning accident.

Brady was an incredible human being—caring, empathetic, and just the right amount of sarcastic to make you laugh without crossing the line. He had a heart for helping others and lived a life filled with compassion and service.

For two years, Brady worked at ABA Pathways as a behavioral technician, supporting children on the autism spectrum. When he first started, autism was unfamiliar to him, and he worried he might not be the right person for the job. But he quickly proved himself wrong. He not only learned about autism but also became an advocate, educating those around him and pouring his heart into the kids he worked with every single day.

Brady was also passionate about physical fitness. At the time of his passing, he had set his sights on completing an Ironman and had just begun training for this ambitious goal.

Turning Grief into Action

After losing Brady, his mother, Laura, reflected on the life he lived and the impact he left behind. She kept coming back to the children he worked with—the ones who truly looked up to him. She knew that Brady would have wanted to do whatever he could to ensure that no other family experienced the pain that theirs had.

During her research, Laura discovered a staggering and heartbreaking truth:
Children on the autism spectrum are significantly more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers.

Many children with autism are naturally drawn to water due to sensory-seeking behaviors, yet they often lack the necessary swim skills or safety awareness, putting them at an increased risk. It became painfully clear that something needed to change.

This realization led to the creation of The Brady Effect—a mission-driven initiative to help children with autism experience the joys of water safely and confidently.

Our Mission: Making Water Safer & More Accessible

Through The Brady Effect, we are committed to:
🌊 Raising Awareness – Educating families about the unique risks and needs of children with autism when it comes to water safety.
🌊 Providing Resources – Offering guidance, tools, and community support for parents and caregivers.
🌊 Creating Adaptive Swim Programs – Developing safe, sensory-friendly experiences that help children build confidence and essential water skills.

Brady had an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Now, through The Brady Effect, his legacy lives on.