special needs lifeline

Special Needs Lifeline Bi-Annual Carnival

Willowbrook Park: A Symbol of Positive Change

Today, we at Special Needs Lifeline celebrate the power of a collective voice. And we celebrate it by offering a Carnival for the special needs community of Staten Island this June 10th, 2012. Our first carnival, held last year, was a success (view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hccpdkhrV-0).We saw the families with special needs children and young adults enjoying themselves in the beautiful Willowbrook Park. Beautiful, yes, but change for improvement is still needed.

Friday (3.23.12), the New York City Parks Department was kind enough to meet us at Willowbrook Park to discuss our plans. Five staff members of the department met us, including Chief of Operations, Chief of Staff, and Accessibility Coordinator. We explained to them our mission at Special Needs Lifeline: to help those touched by a disability connect with one another to create positive change. The objective of our meeting was to make the park more accessible to those with disabilities. I commend NYC for hiring an accessibility coordinator who navigates with a wheelchair. He was able to personally understand our concerns. I believe the NYC Parks Department truly cares about defending the rights of the disabled community. Our meeting was not a screaming match, but a respectful conversation that addressed issues to help our community.

I know the New York City budget is very tight at the moment, but at least the conversation has begun. We spoke of the path around the lake of Willowbrook Park. Half the path around the lake was paved, but the rest was gravel. They said they would consider slating it for paving. What a lovely path for those with disabilities and their caregivers to enjoy; and a wonderful place for us to have our Special Needs Lifeline walk. I explained this request was not specifically for our walk, but for the special needs community at large. I also told them we intend to be around a very long time, and this meeting is only the beginning of our work together.

This year we will work around the terrain of the picnic ground behind the carousel. They suggested a section where it was level enough for our guests to enjoy themselves. We assessed it, and they were right, for this year. But improvements are still needed. This opportunity not only represents a healthy day spent in beautiful surroundings, it also represents a place for all who are touched by a disability to have a chance to meet each other in a social environment. That connection, developing a social network, having a chance to smile, is life’s therapy.

So, don’t forget, put it on your planner. Join us Sunday, June 10th from 1 – 4 pm at Willowbrook Park – Staten Island, New York – turn at Richmond Avenue and Eton Place. See you there, it’ll be fun.

Leave your suggestions for change/improvement below, we want to hear from you…moving forward, Camille Gallo, Executive Director, SNLC

ON-SITE PRODUCTION OFFERED BY SPECIAL NEEDS LIFELINE

Brunch and Interactive Show

The Special Needs Lifeline on-site production will be an interactive drama therapy show. It is a fairy tale story of a princess where no matter what the king has brought to her, she remains cold. Luxurious items, a multitude of the townspeople’s possessions, the enormity of an evil man’s offerings, yet she remains cold. It is only after her connection with love that she then becomes warm. Our message is connection and love; which is the basis of Special Needs Lifeline.