Decatur Fire and Rescue to host a Special Needs Summer Celebration
Jul. 2—Special needs children up to age 16 are invited to join Decatur Fire and Rescue at Point Mallard Park on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a summer celebration
The event includes free general admission for the child and their parent or guardian and a free lunch provided by Texas Roadhouse. Other sponsors, including Pepsi of Decatur, MeritHouse Realty and Gillespie Cabinets, "have stepped in wanting to do drinks, water and desserts," said Brandon Sivley, a firefighter with Decatur Fire and Rescue.
"We will help facilitate their caregivers if they need help getting to and from the certain activities," said Sivley. "We will try to assist them and let them do what they feel like they are capable of doing."
The event features a cookout and all the regular amenities available at Point Mallard, participants have access to the entirety of the park, and if a child "has disabilities that don't allow them to do certain things we are going to try to see if we can help and facilitate them to be able to do it." Sivley said. "As long as the parents give us permission."
The department set up the event after successful Halloween and Christmas events. Their Autism Awareness Forum began with a panel of parents caring for autistic children. These parents suggested a wider range of assistance.
"A couple of them mentioned 'Hey I've got a friend with a special needs kid, but they are not necessarily autistic,' so now we've encompassed all of the special needs groups," Sivley said.
The participants are free to stay after the event is completed because of their full-day admission. This "was a very nice gesture for the water park to offer that."
To make a reservation, contact 256-341-4860.