September 27, 2009

No limits get in way of a special fun day
By Barbara Blake

On one special day each year, adults and children with disabilities are the toast of Asheville.

On this day, there are no curious stares from “normal” bystanders. No cruel jokes or whispered snickers. No sidelong glances or averted eyes. No ridicule. No judgment.

On Saturday, they came in droves to the Stephens Lee Recreation Center to celebrate Family Fun Day in the warm embrace of their families and friends and a vast network of volunteers, public servants and staff members whose life’s work is with the disabled.

Jennifer Crawford brought her 10-year-old daughter, Savannah, who has cerebral palsy, to join in the celebration.

“They can come here and have fun and be themselves and not be stared at or judged,” Crawford said. “Savannah gets so excited and wants to go from booth to booth, saying, ‘What’s next? What’s next?’”

The stars of this show are young, old and in between. Some are in wheelchairs. Some can’t see, some can’t hear. Some have Down syndrome, some have autism.

Many have severe developmental disabilities, and some are mentally sharp but have physical challenges.

Their common thread is a desire to have a day of fun.

To blow bubbles and wear silly balloon hats and toss beanbags and decorate cookies.

To dance — or simply nod — to live music. To peek inside a fire engine or police car, and shake the hand of a man or woman in blue.

“We get to help people with different abilities have a really great time,” said 15-year-old Chelsea Holt, a junior at West Henderson High, explaining why she volunteers at Family Fun Day each year.

“They don’t get to do a lot of stuff, and this makes them feel good about themselves because nobody pays much attention to them on other days,” she said. “On this day, we can teach them that they’re just as important as anybody else, and everybody feels special.”

Zach Rainwater, 15, a sophomore at Enka High, said the rewards he gets for volunteering at Family Fun Day don’t have a price tag.

“I like seeing all the people smiling, and greeting them and making them feel welcome,” he said. “That’s the thing here — everybody is smiling and laughing.”