Here is a list of recommended places to visit or things to do in our area that are accessible and inclusive for children with special needs and their families. Catamount Outdoor Family Center located in Williston has one trail, Carriage Path, which is a wide 3-mile trail that is very accessible for wheelchairs and 3 wheeled bikes. Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center located in Burlington offers hands on activities for all ages. Borrow their adaptive stroller and walk around the waterfront! Essex Cinema in Essex offers “Sensory Friendly” movie showings throughout the summer. Fun Zone at Smugglers Notch located in Smuggler’s Notch has outdoor swimming pools, bounce houses, obstacle course, and loads of other fun activities for the whole family. Get Air located in Williston offers “A special time just for you” on Saturday mornings. Montshire Museum in Norwich offers over 150 exhibits to explore and an incredible … [Read more...]
Summer Time Fun for EVERYONE
Summer is fast approaching and we wanted to share fun places to visit that go "above and beyond" in accommodating children with special needs. This week we will share places located outside of Vermont. Santa's Village: Located in Jefferson, New Hampshire. A small park that offers a special pass for children with disabilities. This pass allows children to gain quicker access to rides. Story Land: Located in Glen, New Hampshire. Story land has teamed up with Autism Speaks to offer a sensitive friendly weekend in September. Edaville Family Amusement Park: Located in Carver, Massachusettes. One of the best parks in New England that accommodates children with various sensory issues. Edaville has one whole section that is devoted to Thomas the Train! Wild Center: Located in Tupper Lake, New York. The Wild Center offers an incredible tree line "Wild Walk" which is accessible for everyone. Sesame Place: Located in … [Read more...]
Perspective
I took the plunge several weeks ago and agreed to participate in The Champlain Classic Women’s Ice Hockey tournament which is hosted by Full Stride. Kayla’s Directory began to partner with Full Stride last year to offer an adaptive ice-skating program for children with special needs. Fortunately, we have several skilled mentors that currently play or have played hockey to help the kids – and me – on the ice. I am not a skilled skater! This year I decided to improve my skating skills and joined the Full Strides Learn to Play Hockey program. I continued to the Adult Instructional Program where a woman asked if anyone wanted to play in the Champlain Classic tournament in April. Although I knew this was way out of my league, I decided to give it a try. A few days before our first game, we were asked what position we wanted to play. I emailed the women back and said that I prefer defense. But in all honesty, it didn’t matter where I … [Read more...]
Vermont Systems Supports Local Organizations
I am proud to announce that Vermont Systems is once again our key sponsor of “Abilities Outweigh Disabilities.” Over 20 years ago, I helped a grandmother, Sandy Willey, watch her grandchildren during the summer. Her husband, Robert Willey, founded Vermont Systems. Robert Willey works alongside many of his relatives, including his three children, Giles, Kate, and Laurie, and some of the grandchildren I used to watch. Once Kayla turned 8, she began to participate in Special Olympics soccer. Practice was held at the Willey Farm in Essex, and the head coach was Giles Willey. The property brought back many memories. The delightful gardens that surrounded the property with no weeds in sight. The big red barn that was located at the back of the property. The fenced in pool that was always clean. And the famous handmade swing set that I spent hours at during the week. Several kids from soccer ended up using it. Unfortunately, Kayla … [Read more...]
Light it up Blue
In recognition of autism awareness I want to share this beautiful piece by Keli Bayrouty Rogers. December 19, 2016 may not hold any significance to you, it may have just been a normal day. You may have gone to work, you may have started your day with breakfast and a coffee, or you may have even played hookey that day. To me this day made everything that our little family was going through a reality. You see, on December 19, 2016, my beautiful little girl was given the diagnosis of autism. I want to say that I was in disbelief, that I was taken back by this but the reality is, I already knew. I had known as early as 3 months. A mom just knows. This is not to say that I wasn’t scared or unknowing of what the future would hold for my sweet little girl, it just confirmed what we had known for so long. It confirmed all the doctor appointments, it confirmed her being in Early Intervention since 9 months old because she wasn’t … [Read more...]