HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Adults with disabilities often face barriers that exclude them from activities and social gatherings.

Lizetta McKesson, founder of the nonprofit organization ‘A Thousand Shoes for A Thousand Smiles,’ is working to create more opportunities for them to gather.

Back in March, McKesson shared with 10 On Your Side’s Kiahnna Patterson that she is one of the caregivers for her 34-year-old sister-in-law Diedra LaShae McKesson.

The duo loves fashion, makeup and dancing. 

“Diedre has been asking for years to go to the club. I said, ‘let’s bring the club to her,’” said Lizetta ahead of the ‘We like to Party, Too!’ event on World Down Syndrome Day.

Lizetta worked with WNSB Hot 91 and the Kroc Center of Norfolk to organize a party at night to raise awareness for adults with down syndrome and adults with disabilites.

“Once people saw the interview on WAVY… we started slowly, picking up momentum,” said Lizetta. “About three days before the event, my phone was just going off [and] ringing off the hook with emails. When the tickets sold out, people called and asked, ‘Is there any way we could still get any tickets?’ I opened it up. It turned out to be awesome! It started at 7p.m. but they were there at 6:30 p.m.!”

About 200 people purchased a ticket, many of which were donated from supporters of the community. Diedre serves as the host and tells WAVY.com that her favorite parts of the night were line dancing and dancing with her boyfriend Bobby. 

“We had a good amount of people come from across the water. I was that really excited me that I said they took the time to come across the water,” she said. “We want to actually make this a national tour. We started at home, but the momentum was picking up from everyone that we spoke to about it. They are excited about it. They love the idea of it. Diedre and I we’re just going to see where this goes.”

Listening to the feedback from the partygoers, Lizetta is working to organize another  ‘We like to Party, Too!’ event.

“We welcome everyone. Any adult with a disability who wants to come out and party, we want to see you!”

This time, Diedra said she is looking forward to taking more pictures in the 360 photo booth.

“Please come out and enjoy an awesome night of fun, family, friends, and you’re going to meet new friends. You’re going to meet Diedra LaShae. She’s a little quiet now. She turns into another person the night of her event,” said Lizetta.

‘We Like to Party, Too!’ is on Friday, July 11, from 7-10 p.m. at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, located at 1610 Coliseum Drive Hampton, VA 23666. Tickets are $10