Ryan Van Velzer

The Republic | azcentral.com

At the front desk, there's a box of corsages and boutonnieres.

Inside the nursing facility, the walls are lined with paper tapestries the color of rose and saffron, violet and apricot.

The men wear tuxedos with colorful vests and matching bow ties. The women wear evening gowns and don jewels on their foreheads in the style of Indian cinema.

Together with their families, residents and clients pose for pictures in front of an elephant cardboard cutout.

It's a touching moment for families and residents who rarely have this opportunity.

Oct. 10 was the 10th annual prom night at Hacienda Healthcare, a skilled-nursing facility, hospital and treatment center that provides specialized services for more than 100 clients of all ages with physical and intellectual disabilities.

For residents, it's the most exciting night of the year, said Jibri Crawford, 39, who first came up with the idea for prom 10 years ago.

Since then, Crawford has chosen the theme ever year. They've included "One Sweet Night," "Phantom of the Opera," "Gone with the Wind," and now, "Bollywood."

Dressed in a suit with an electric orange vest and matching bow tie, Crawford radiates happiness.

"All my friends are glad I had the idea for prom, and they look forward to it every year," he said.

Though Crawford speaks proudly of his triumphs, it is challenging for him. He sits in a wheelchair, thin arms folded, hands wound tightly — the symptoms of cerebral palsy.

Crawford, 39, was born with a disability, but is also one of the few at Hacienda Healthcare to attend his junior year high-school prom, in Birmingham, Ala.

And ever since, he has wanted to share that joy with his friends, many of whom never had the chance to attend their prom.

For the past 10 years, doctors, nurses, specialists, volunteers and everyone else at Hacienda Healthcare have been more than happy to oblige.

Preparations begin early. Melissa Allen, a Hacienda HealthCare day treatment coordinator and one of the prom's stylists, started fitting girls for their dresses, and men for their suits nearly two weeks ago, she said.

On prom night, Allen spent the day doing hair and makeup for patients who rarely leave their wheelchairs, even applying the jewels to girls' foreheads, she said.

"It brings tears to my eyes," Allen said. "They look so pretty."

For students, and for employees such as Tom Burick, a habilitation technician for the autism vocational training program, it's a transformative night, he said.

Burick watched as one of his students peered into the mirror for the first time after putting on her dress.

"I saw a smile on her face I had never seen before," he said. "It put a lump in my throat."

This year's prom featured all the typical trappings, DJs, cakes and dancing, with a Bollywood twist that included tandoori-style chicken, a trumpeting elephant ice sculpture and the crowning of the prom maharaja and Maharani (king and queen).

Jennifer Labarge, this year's prom queen, was crowned with a jewel-encrusted head piece while Nicholas Nez, this year's prom king, was crowned with a golden turban.

But this year also included a special award.

Bill Timmons, Hacienda HealthCare's CEO and president, bestowed Crawford with the special honor of "prom ambassador," presenting him with a pink sash for all his contributions including coming up with the idea for prom.

"A prom is a significant event in one's life ... an event that should be experienced regardless of one's ability," Timmons said. "Jibri understood this and made certain that all those entrusted to our care know what it's like to be a prom participant."