‘Raising Awareness’ event offers safe space for questions

It’s a public outreach event to help others understand special-needs families’ unique challenges and gifts.

By Kat Bryant Grays Harbor News Group • December 19, 2019 1:30 am
Courtesy photos This contingent of Grays Harbor Differently Abled Families participated in the 2019 ALS Walk in Seattle. Standing at far left is the group’s founder, Sarah Worthington. At the center, wrapped in a blanket and rain poncho, is Edna Langton, whose battle with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) ended Dec. 1 at age 60.
Courtesy photos This contingent of Grays Harbor Differently Abled Families participated in the 2019 ALS Walk in Seattle. Standing at far left is the group’s founder, Sarah Worthington. At the center, wrapped in a blanket and rain poncho, is Edna Langton, whose battle with ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) ended Dec. 1 at age 60.

By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Looking for a break from the holiday bustle? Grays Harbor Differently Abled Families has just the thing.

The group’s second annual Raising Awareness: Jingle All the Way event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shoppes at Riverside. Photo opps will abound and about 25 informational booths will be set up in the large space next to the Extreme Fun Center, insulated from the crowds.

This isn’t just for families with special needs; it’s a public outreach event to help others understand the unique challenges and gifts involved with conditions ranging from autism to artificial limbs, according to event organizer Sarah Worthington, founder of Differently Abled Families.

Even dogs with special needs will be represented. Volunteers with Lily’s Pad Rescue of Silver Lake will bring several bulldogs with spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spine doesn’t form properly. Like their human counterparts, these pups have a lot of love to give, but require some specialized care.

“Just like we love dogs — every dog — it’s the same with people. Just because we have something different about us doesn’t make us unlovable,” said Worthington. “So bringing dogs in is a way to connect with people … and connection is what this is all about.”

Visitors also can learn more about a variety of local resources, such as the Arc of Grays Harbor, which provides services and advocacy for people with disabilities; the Horse Prayer, a nonprofit assisted learning and riding center for differently abled youth; and Compelled to Care, which provides support for foster, adoptive and kinship families.

Several Miss Exceptional 2019 queens and princesses will be at the event, including Taehler Tobey Vaughn, who lives in Aberdeen. The 2019 competition, held earlier this month in Puyallup, focuses on helping young women with special needs to improve their self-confidence and social skills.

From 10 to 11 a.m., children can have a “sensory-friendly” visit with Santa Claus in a calm, quiet environment. They can also write letters to Santa with last-minute requests.

Superheroes and a cadre of “Star Wars” Stormtroopers will be on hand for photo opportunities from 11 to noon, followed by princesses of all kinds from noon to 1 p.m.

South Sound Parent to Parent, a network of families with special-needs children, will host an ice cream social at 1 to wind down the event. The group’s Birth to Three early-intervention program will have an informational booth there as well.

Visitors can opt to “complete the circuit” by chatting with someone at every booth and collecting stamps on their raffle cards. Completed cards will be entered into a drawing, which will take place at 1:30.

“We want people to come and learn, and to feel safe to ask questions about people of different abilities,” said Worthington.

Grays Harbor Differently Abled Families represents “a lot of rare-disease warriors,” she said, including members with ADNP and Angelman syndrome. Other members have more commonly recognized conditions, such as ADHD and diabetes.

The group operates under the nonprofit umbrella of CFC Adventures with Ellie, which Worthington formed to bring awareness and social acceptance to a rare genetic disorder called cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. Her cousin Carmen’s 2-year-old daughter, Ellie, has CFC syndrome, which physically affects the heart, facial features and skin, but also can cause developmental delays and other issues.

“My passion started with comforting my cousin in her fear of Ellie being bullied, and telling her I would do anything to make her famous for every beautiful thing and miracle about her, before anyone ever has a chance to say anything bad,” said Worthington, adding that her household includes other different abilities as well.

Her personal experiences were a major factor in creating the Raising Awareness event. She’s hoping to erase the stigma of people with special needs by openly sharing information.

“Families such as ours are running into situations where people don’t know how to interact with them. They don’t know what your abilities or inabilities or challenges are,” she said “Have you ever said to your kids: ‘Shh! Don’t ask that question!’ We’ve all been there.

“So, this is your safe place. Ask away!”

Bentley, who has spina bifida, lives in Westport with his mom, Lisa Carlson. He’s pictured here visiting Santa at last year’s Raising Awareness event.

Bentley, who has spina bifida, lives in Westport with his mom, Lisa Carlson. He’s pictured here visiting Santa at last year’s Raising Awareness event.

Khali is one of the three bulldogs with spina bifida that will be at Saturday’s event. They’re part of Lily’s Pad Rescue, a nonprofit organization based in Silver Lake.

Khali is one of the three bulldogs with spina bifida that will be at Saturday’s event. They’re part of Lily’s Pad Rescue, a nonprofit organization based in Silver Lake.