I walked down the stairs and was greeted by a magical scene. Snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling, two tables were set up with coloring activities, a huge doll house stood in the center of the room, a batman station rested in one corner, Paw Patrol in another area, a train table with every train imaginable on one side, and a massive racetrack on the other. You would have thought I was entering a Toys R Us store! But this was much better than a Toys R Us store: this was “Santa Cares,” an opportunity for children with various disabilities to come play, color, have some snacks, and see Santa. Behind the scenes is a remarkable husband-and-wife team who decided three years ago that there was a need for an alternative place for children with special needs to meet Santa. “Extra care is taken to support sensory, physical, and other developmental needs of children. There are no lines, no pressure, and no fuss!” Lindsay and Jay … [Read more...]
Thanks for a successful year!
Within a year, Kayla’s Directory has listed over 100 resources, programs, and activities on our website. We have run the following programs: a 6-week adaptive running program and an 8-week “cooking is for EVERYONE” program. We have had the following events: Birthdays for ALL, Build a teddy-bear, and sponsor “Friends on the go” social outing. We have purchased the following equipment: 2 adaptive all-terrain strollers for Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Museum, 1 adaptive grocery cart for Healthy Living, and 1 adaptive Sled for Catamount Outdoor Family Center. In the next year, we will sponsor monthly “Friends on the go” social outings, offer monthly cooking classes, offer a 6-week “Successful Skating class”, purchase more adaptive equipment, and continue to expand our online resource page. All of this year’s accomplishments are the result of the incredible, generous community that we live in. Through this process, we have made … [Read more...]
Through the eyes of a mom of a child with special needs
Did you see this post buzzing around Facebook this summer? If you are in my age demographic of 30 (cough, cough, 30-something) then you probably did. The message of the post resonated with a fair number of my friends. This post talked about the public pool and how it is the perfect metaphor for life. Dietrich groups women who enjoy the public pool into three different categories: the 20-somethings, 30-somethings, and 40-somethings. She explains that the 20-somethings have the freedom to lay out at the pool with only the worry of getting the perfect tan and posting a flawless Instagram picture. The 30-somethings, on the other hand, are deep in the trenches of parenting. They are wading in the pool holding onto a young child and praying that a meltdown doesn’t occur. The only thing they want in life is for their little angel to sleep through the night. They are in the stage of parenting where they feel like they are in a … [Read more...]
Succesful skating for children with special needs
Kayla's Directory is sponsoring skating lessons for children with special needs. Lessons will begin on Wednesday, January 4th from 4:00-5:00 PM at Cairns Arena in South Burlington. Lessons will run for 6 consecutive weeks. Lessons will be organized into small groups. Groups will be based on the needs of every child. We might offer another group starting February 15th depending on the number of children who are interested. Your child will be able to rent skates at the rink or bring their own. They also will have to wear a helmet. Please email skruk@kaylasdirectory.org if interested. … [Read more...]
The man behind the scenes
The Kayla’s Directory website was created a year ago. The website would not have been possible without the help of a generous, humorous, and knowledgeable individual. I like to call him “my confidant”. I spoke to my confidant about trying to create a website that would have a positive impact on individuals with special needs, their families, and our community. I am a mother living in Vermont, raising a daughter with special needs, have no background in business or web design, and REALLY lack technology skills... and I want to create a good website and start a nonprofit! My confidant (who resides outside of Vermont) listened to my idea and was willing to help me take this project on! I was a little fish swimming in a very big pond. Completely different from the typical work and businesses he interacts with on a daily basis. I am sure he was thinking how hard could this be? I think I might have thrown him for a loop or two … [Read more...]