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Activist and influencer Shane Burcaw is probably best known for his social media following of nearly two million. Squirmy & Grubs, as he and wife Hannah refer to themselves, shares the couple’s life as they travel and delves into how they tackle challenges of everyday life. The duo have even written a book which looks deeper into their relationship, as well as that of other couples where one is disabled and the other is not. It’s called, “Interabled: Stories About Love and Disability.”
Behind the scenes, Shane has also worked the last 10 years with his cousin Sarah Burcaw on the passion project they started together, Laughing At My Nightmare (LAMN). The non-profit organization donates equipment to those in need. Shane, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), has also overseen $70,000 in scholarships to students with muscular dystrophy, of which SMA is a form of.
“All of our programs are focused on helping individuals gain greater independence and access to essential mobility tools. Over 90% of our recipients live in low- tomoderate-income households, which highlights the critical need for this support.”
LAMN recently announced the No More Nightmares Relief Fund. It is to provide emergency relief for those who have urgent needs, such as personal hygiene products, transportation costs related to relocation or evacuation, and critical expenses to help those with disabilities regain their independence.
Shane acknowledged that the recent weather disasters, such as the California fires, and southern flooding, brought the emergent need to the forefront, “While this program has been in development for a while,” he explained, “the fires in LA were certainly another awful example of how disabled individuals are disproportionately affected in times of crisis. Hannah and I were lucky enough to avoid any direct fire damage, but we saw how devastating they were for so much of the disabled community.”
Between LAMN and social media, Shane also remains an advocate for the disabled and is concerned about the effect from the changes in the U.S. government, “The rhetoric and policy intentions of this administration are spiraling out of control and it’s going to have severely negative consequences for disabled people.”
The accomplishments of Shane and Sarah Burcaw so far have been beneficial to many, and they are not finished yet.
“There are so many things we’re all proud of at LAMN,” according to its leaders, “One of the biggest things we’re most proud of at Laughing at My Nightmare is the tangible impact we’ve made in the disability community by providing over $1.1M in assistance since 2015 through adaptive equipment, emergency financial relief, and assistive technology.”
“We take immense pride in the community we’ve built—one that values humor, resilience, and support. “Whether it’s through our equipment granting programs, social media outreach, or direct assistance, we’re dedicated to making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Laughing At My Nightmare relies on donations to be able to fulfill the needs of recipients. If you would like to donate to LAMN, visit their website.
