Prior to adding a service to Kayla’s Directory, I like to get feedback from someone who has experienced the activity, place, or service being offered. I also like to check things out personally and make sure they are suitable, safe, and fun for children with special needs. As the growing list of services listed on Kayla's Directory indicates, I have come to realize there are a bunch of amazing activities in Vermont that children with special needs can access. I am especially happy to add a new one to the directory: Northern Lights Center in Essex. I visited Northern Lights recently to see what types of programs they offer children with special needs and was blown away by their offerings. Northern Lights Rock and Ice in Essex is a ropes and ice-climbing facility that caters to all types of individuals. They offer team building experience, summer camps, individual lessons, and group lessons. They also cater to programs in the … [Read more...]
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts embraces autism friendly performances
I have some great friends. Time and time again they have been there to help me with Kayla whether it be looking after her for a few hours or sharing an understanding ear as I vent about the latest autism-related issue. Like me, over the past few years they have all gained tremendous insight into what it is like to have a child with special needs and have shown a tremendous amount of empathy and support. This week I had a friend mention something about “trying to plan things around Kayla so that a particular event could have had more impact”. My response was pretty simple: I can plan everything to the best of my ability and try to control Kayla’s environment so that it makes it easier for her but it can all be for naught: I never know when Kayla might have an emotional meltdown and not be able to hold it together. That is what it is like having a child with autism - incredibly unpredictable. Needless to say, bringing Kayla to a … [Read more...]
STAR baskteball comes to an end with UVM basketball team
As I walked up the stairs for STAR basketball you could hear all the action of balls bouncing on the court, kids laughing, and feet running. It was the last day of the STAR basketball program - a program for children with special needs that has grown from 10 children to over 30 in just four years. Via the efforts and generosity of the Capano family, The Edge, and South Burlington High School, 32 children all with various disabilities have come together to learn and play basketball. The positive impact it has had on them in obvious in their happy expressions. This program has made an incredible impact on children with special needs. Thirty-two children challenged by a variety of disabilities are out on one basketball court and having a fun. It is a beautiful thing to see. As usual, Leslie and Chris Capano have thought of everything: structuring the program, matching students up, getting t-shirts for children and mentors, … [Read more...]
Young Athletes Being Active With Rice Students And Special Olympics
The Rice Memorial High School Cafeteria is usually bustling with the noise of high school students waiting in line to get lunch, sitting at tables eating their lunch, or chatting away with friends. On this Saturday morning, it was filled with a few energetic 2-7 year olds, their parents, and twelve Rice students. The young kids were participating in the Young Athlete Program through Vermont Special Olympics. When a lot of high school students were probably sleeping in, twelve Rice Students showed up at their school to work with the Young Athlete Program. Caitlin Jenkins from Vermont Special Olympics organizes the YAP program and coordinates with Rice to find mentors to help out. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk to Paul Difalco, a math teacher at Rice, who gave his Saturday morning up to come and unlock the doors and monitor the students as they organized and ran the program. According to Difalco, Rice … [Read more...]
Vermont Adaptive Sports and Ski at Sugarbush Resort
It was a balmy day to start Kayla out on skis for the for the first time this season. We were a bit delayed due to her ankle injury, but she was just recently cleared by her orthopedic doctor to begin skiing. I got online and booked four lessons through Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, requesting her favorite instructor, Shasta! Vermont Adaptive Ski program has to be the best adaptive program we have come across. They run programs at Bolton, Sugarbush, Killington, and Pico. All the instructors volunteer their time to help individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities learn how to ski. The staff is patient, flexible, and extremely creative with adapting skiing so people with special needs can experience the joy of skiing. From the ease of signing up for lessons online, to confirmation of lessons and communication between the parent and the director, Olivia, it all runs so smoothly. This is Kayla’s second year … [Read more...]