ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WAVY) — Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation is introducing a new program for children with disabilities and their parents.
The first event was rescheduled to Oct. 7 at Nike Park due to inclement weather on the weekend of Sept. 23, when it was originally planned.
“Sometimes if that’s not the right stage for them or the right step at the time so just having this therapeutic recreation component for another place to go and feel welcome and to successfully participate and fully participate is very important,” said Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jaimie Belch.
It’s for kids and teens with disabilities ages 5 to 15.
“Physical, cognitive, social, emotional, learning, all varying disabilities are all welcome,” said Belch.
Picnic and Play provides parents or guardians of children with disabilities with an opportunity to come together as a support and resource group.
“They get to share resources and just different things in their life and just share those stories so that way they feel supported too,” said Belch.
Children will be able to play in the park with the therapeutic recreation specialist, while their parents enjoy coffee.
And although 5 to 15 seems like a big age group, Jaimie says some of the older kids enjoy helping out the younger kids or could serve as a role model too!
“Just seeing them happy and seeing them out and a part of a group and completing tasks and working on their goals, increasing their communication skills,” said Belch. “It’s really nice to see.”
There’s also an inclusive trick or trot event coming up on October 14th too!
Both events will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. To register, click here.
