Ice cream truck business owners speak about finding the ‘ability’ in disability at Convocation

Liberty University welcomed the Norwood family, owners of the “A Little Something Extra Ice Cream” truck, to Convocation on Wednesday to share how they are serving their community in Alabama and beyond through ice cream. Their truck was parked on the Academic Lawn and served long lines of students for most of the day.

Michelle Norwood and her son Hunter started the ice cream truck business in 2018 and use it to provide job opportunities for people with Down syndrome. Hunter, who has Down syndrome, serves as CEO.

One year before Hunter was born, Michelle and her husband lost a child to a heart defect when the baby was only 6 days old. When she became pregnant with Hunter, doctors feared the worst.

“The doctors tried to tell us that he would have a heart defect and he would not meet many milestones in his life. But he is a creation of the King and I know better,” Michelle said.

While raising Hunter, Michelle reenrolled in college classes to study special education to better meet the needs of her son and other children like him. Eventually, she took a job working in special education at a local high school. While there, she witnessed some of her students working in the student snack store, and from this, along with the fact that the town had no ice cream trucks at the time, “A Little Something Extra” was born.

Michelle said she took a “leap of faith” by quitting her teaching job and opening the ice cream truck with Hunter, who is now 22. The business name is a play on the fact that those born with Down syndrome are born with an extra chromosome. The logo also includes the Down syndrome awareness ribbon and a letter “A” written in a font similar to those found at the beginning of fairy tales.

“I knew that God gave us the ice cream truck, and I could not wait to see the beautiful fairy tale that He was laying out for our family,” Michelle said. “He has come through for us in so many ways we could have never imagined.”

Since opening, the business has continued to expand. Their current truck, which has a licensing agreement in Autauga County, Ala., boasts 40 trained ice cream specialists. They now plan to reach a licensing agreement next week with another family for an additional truck in Madison County, Ala.

“A Little Something Extra” has vendor contracts with University of Alabama and Auburn University to sell ice cream during home games. They have also served ice cream to additional football programs at Jacksonville State. These opportunities have enabled Hunter to achieve his dreams of “attending” college like his siblings.

Through this company, Michelle and her family aim to shine a light on the incredible things that people with Down syndrome can accomplish and have embraced 1 Corinthians 2:5 as their life verse.

“This world looks at people who are differently abled as not bringing a lot to the table, but that is so untrue,” Michelle said. “We are each born with strengths and we are each born with weaknesses. Sure, Hunter has one some would deem a disability, but he has so many strengths.”

The “ability” for those with Down syndrome to positively impact their communities extends far beyond Hunter, with many of his coworkers being highly skilled and motivated individuals. One worker, Ryan, consistently asks for Bibles on his birthday so he can send them overseas to those who need them. Another employee, Molly, once chose to come into work despite having three seizures that morning.

The business currently accepts invitations to sell ice cream at private events at businesses, schools, and churches among other organizations.

In addition to the work with the truck, Michelle has also published two books and spends her time caring for her other two children.

“We just hope that we are able to go more out into the community and into the world, and just see what God has done,” Michelle said. “Here at Liberty, you’re building Champions for Christ, and I mentioned earlier, there’s never been a champion who did not face an opponent. We face opposition every day. For Hunter, some people think that extra chromosome is his opposition, but sometimes I think it’s the world’s view that he isn’t able, and our ice cream experts aren’t able. We all face opposition, but we serve One who is undefeated. God is working and is creating champions through an ice cream truck.”

At the end of Convocation, students were invited to attend the Serve Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in Montview Student Union. This event provides students with information and connects them with ways they can serve in the local community. The first 125 students who attended the expo after Convocation were given vouchers for ice cream.

Freshmen Maia Cook and Meredith Beach waited in a  long line of customers after Convocation to support the Norwood’s business and to cool off from the summer heat.

“The Lord made it hot today for a reason because everybody needs some ice cream,” said Cook, who ordered a Big Dipper Vanilla.

“I’m an education major, so hearing Michelle’s story about how she went into special education, I thought it was really inspiring how she took her own personal story from that and gave her son and his friends an opportunity in the workplace,” added Beach, who treated herself to a Chips Galore.

“A Little Something Extra” remains open for students until Campus Community at 7 p.m., where Liberty President Dr. Dondi Costin is scheduled to deliver the message.