Hangin’ with his peeps

April 5, 2010

I confess, I’m officially late. Call it an Easter hangover, and not a very fun one. Somehow I tweaked my back during family time on Sunday, and then spent the full gymnastics session with Nathan, missing our usual partner. We knew she wouldn’t be there and we’re happy she got time with her family, but it always seems when she’s out, I’m not 100% myself. We’ll be happy for Holly’s return next Sunday nonetheless.

I’m one who kinda hates the commercial side of Easter. I know I loved the bunny and the candy growing up, but especially lately, I’m becoming more and more grateful for the spiritual side of the celebration. That being said, my favorite part of the secular side of Easter is now the Westerville special needs egg hunt the day before Easter. Honestly, the eggs and the hunt really have very little to do with it as well. Just like any other similar event, when the starter drops his hand it’s only about 90 seconds before it’s all over.

I grew up in Westerville and now live about 30 minutes away. I definitely grew up with the right people in town, as we always see those we know helping out or running the show. I made sure that Nathan wore a shirt I got for him last year with three chicks, looking hip with their shades, and on the top saying “Hangin’ with my peeps.” It’s a little sad he has to wear a bib over it, but we know it’s there.

This was our second year at the free event, and it’s measuring up to be like church in my family. Like Easter service itself, we make sure to get there early (in this case almost half an hour) to get our spot, get settled and be able to see everyone else as they come through the door.

The first person I saw was a high school friend of mine, who’s father was the first person I really knew who used a wheelchair to get around. Seeing his family put things full-circle to me, fathering Nathan with his own walking issues.

We got settled and soon we saw someone who had therapy the same time as Nathan years ago. Seeing how far he had come and the things he can do now, brought a smile to our hearts. Next, was the PMG family we had recently met, and two behind them was the other PMG family I had met but Annette hadn’t been able to yet. Of course, Nathan's cousins came as well to complete our group. One after another people we’ve seen, worked with, helped out played with, it almost seemed like gathering eggs was cramping our personal time together.

The event was held in a gymnasium, so those with walkers and wheelchairs could get-around easily (granted navigating all the eggs and other kids out there.) Nathan wasn’t very interested in the grabbing of eggs off the ground, but if handed to him, he was very proud to put them into the basket. One of our friends modified a butterfly net so that he could scoop them up from his walker. For the visually impaired, they had eggs that played music and most kids cooperated in leaving for those who could enjoy finding them the most.

After 90-seconds of chaos, everyone returned to the main table where waiting for all kids pre-registered were baskets filled with things that they could enjoy. On top of that was the raffle-like distribution of stuffed animals, when each kid’s name was called. Over 60 kids had registered and almost 90 had showed up.

Part of the fun was being the one to help inform and promote it to families who hadn’t known about it in previous years. (Still early enough so they could register and be included with all the fun stuff.) Those families told other families and support groups so the group just keeps growing.

Many of these are the new families who are now starting up gymnastics for the first time. Nathan is as active as ever, still belly-laughing with the parachute, loving his turns on the trampoline, and grabbing onto the rings, just like the other kids. We heard that both hours of gymnastics are at-capacity meaning as many kids are taking advantage of it as possible. We never want to see a see a kid turned away, but to bring joy to as many little guys and girls as possible, is what these opportunities are all about.

May your heart know and rejoice in the true celebration of Easter, never taking for granted the gift that was given to all. But while others like Nathan are still kids and can enjoy event like all kids should, these opportunities are a blessing to us all.

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