06/01/2024
BANKS
“Baby I ain’t saying that you need my help, but you don’t have to do it all by yourself. So baby when the current gets strong you need somewhere to rest your bones. I wanna be there for you, I wanna be strong for you. I wanna hold you close but never hold you back. Just like the banks do the river”
This song and my two beautiful and wild at every turn boys are the inspiration behind this. I am in the process of starting my own business in Sebring.
I am wanting to bring in a place for families of children with special needs. I have so many big visions for what I want this place to be, but I will start by telling you what I want it to look like for the families of children with special needs in our community. I want it to be a place where they feel safe, seen, heard, understood. A place where as a parent we don’t have to apologize because our child is excited and hand flapping or vocally stimming. I want it to be a place where as a parent when you walk in the doors you feel the weight lift off of you because you are in a place that understands.
I have this vision for a place that offers parents resources, guidance, support on the unique abilities scholarship. Meetings with our local law enforcement officers to prepare children with ASD how to respond when they do come in contact with law enforcement officers in the community, getting scent kits, to learn about the different GPS tracking devices our law enforcement officers are offering, a support group, mommy and me time, social stories reading time, a sensory gym. I want it to be a place where I can bring in music therapy, art therapy, social skills groups, parent support groups. A dance and gymnastics class for special needs kids. A special needs drop off daycare a place where if you need to go to a doctors appointment you can leave your child and know they are in safe hands and will be having fun in an environment that supports their needs.
I also have been working on a project with our local AMC theater to bring in a sensory friendly movie experience for the Inside Out 2. I am asking that anyone interested in attending please let me know. I need a rough estimate of how many families to expect in order to get a theater secured.
I am working on finding a building, getting money together to make this vision come to life. This has been something that has been on my heart to do since we moved to Sebring 3 years ago. I feel there is a huge opportunity in our community to make this happen. There is such a need and there is a reason why God lead us to Sebring. As a parent to two boys on the spectrum my heart gets so happy when I think about this because I know just how much my family and others just like us would benefit from this. I am excited to finally be able share this with the world.
I am also going to be starting my first parent support workshop with champions for children June 27th 2-3pm at the family resource center 203 N Commerce Ave.
So if anyone would be interested in being a part of Banks please let me know. I would be happy to hear your advice, words of encouragement, some guidance, what else do you think should be included?
