We Need An Inclusion Center!
Introductions...
Hello! Thank you for reading!
We are Cris & Brandi! We are in our early forties and are the proud parents to Braedyn. Our son was born with down syndrome. He was diagnosed with oppositional defiance disorder, ADHD, and OCD by the time he was just six years of age. Last year, before he turned 17 years old, he was diagnosed with Epilepsy, and a significant heart problem - a bicuspid aortic valve.
Braedyn hasnât been widely accepted because of his differences and he was shamed for having a behavioral component that is a part of his disability. Unfortunately he was restricted and it hindered his attendance in public school, the community programs, accessing recreation and sports and even the programs that say they are in place for a person with special needs. Braedyn is a brilliant, helpful, kind, empathetic, and curious soul, whose still trying to figure out who he is and how he fits in this world.
We as parents have lived vicariously through the updates from other families sharing their stories on social media outlets. Those interactions in the online world, have kept us in contact with the outside world and made us feel just âslightly less lonely.â So, for that, we are thankful for the opportunity to have been able to be a part of that experience. We do need healthy interactions with other people in a social setting. Our son has been begging for friends since he was a little boy, and doesnât understand why he doesnât have anyone to hang out with him or call him on the phone. He doesnât understand that we are trying so very hard for him to be included in our community. Braedyn does deserve a next chapter and to be included in society.
What We Would Like to Do
*Our idea is to open a NOT FOR PROFIT âSpecial Needs Adventure Centerâ (SNAC).
*It would be a fun, family orientated, interactive center - helping to provide the necessary social skills one requires to feel valued in this world.
*The target is to make it into a comfortable day space for people with disabilities of ALL AGES and a supportive environment for parents and caregivers.
*We'd like to share our daily life activities with others, promoting and spreading kindness, paying it forward, having fun and making new friends.
*In July 2018, we recreated the Campbell River Special Needs Parent Support Group in hopes to bring this community together and bridge that gap. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1943070219084587/
How could we support the Center?
We would like to open a CafĂŠ that caters to meaningful employment and training for persons with disabilities. The training would cater to both front of house & back of house operations, focusing on great customer service skills. Those who have completed a full training program could then be hired by other businesses in our community who are looking for employees.
What Would the Day Space Look Like?
*We would love to explore the art of gardening for food.
*We would also have the opportunity to teach invaluable life skills such as how to create mesmerizing food dishes and delectable treats, while exploring the wonderful world of cooking and baking!
*Weâd love to see programs such as pottery, art classes, painting classes, leather working, woodworking, singing & band, drama classes, photography, horse back riding, team building sports and way more!
*Participants would be encouraged to live active, healthy lifestyles!
*The center should have access to an outdoor basketball court, a generic flat field to play activities on, as well as an interactive wheelchair accessible playground.
*A walkable/rollable path could meander throughout the property that would have work out stations at different intervals to encourage physical fitness.
*We will have a stunning bon fire pit for campfires to promote camaraderie, protection and the feeling of safety we get while being together around the fire. There is something spellbinding when you stare into the flames, lowers blood pressure and provides warmth and a sense of security.
Would you like to be a part of the Special Needs Adventure Center, Please contact us!
Yours Very Truly,
~Cris & Brandi Stovman~
