It’s that time of year when families are gearing up for various summer activities. Our beautiful part of the North State provides ample possibilities during these hot months for both enjoyable kid activities and an oftentimes much-needed respite for parents. Summer looks a little bit different for our family. Water activities, which are typically a staple of summer fun around here, are not an option for all of our family members at this point.
Our youngest son Chance has a tracheostomy tube. This means that if even a little water gets into the stoma (hole) in his neck, it goes directly into his lungs. Even though his tube is capped during the day, there is still enough of an opening for water to sneak in there should his neck ever become submerged. To complicate things—he loves water. He is a fearless and energetic eight-year-old, so trying to keep him contained when everyone else is playing in a swimming pool or a lake is next to impossible. We have found a middle ground at home in the form of a water play table, sprinklers and a kiddie pool with a few inches of water. He can enjoy splashing around safely and doesn’t feel like he’s missing out.
Sending Chance and his sister Lilly to one of the many summer day camps offered locally isn’t a current possibility. Our children require care beyond what most typical camps can provide. Instead, we’ve found alternative ways for them to enjoy their time off from school without breaking the bank or losing our sanity. These activities involve lots of trips to the local parks so they can release some energy before it reaches the usual triple-digit temperatures. We’ve also found a new way to enjoy our trampoline. With some sidewalk chalk and a little water, the black trampoline mat becomes a blank canvas for our budding artists. Luckily chalk is washable, as Chance often likes to display his creations on the side of the house if we don’t catch him in time!
There are so many opportunities and different ways to make summer fun and memorable, even if your summer break doesn’t look like everyone else’s holiday. These are just a few of our family’s favorite things. What are yours?
Uniquely Us is a unique opportunity to address special needs issues and concerns and to celebrate life. If you have something in particular you would like to read about, please write to pn@northstateparent.com (please include UU in the subject line).
Posted in: Uniquely Us
Comment Policy: All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are not allowed. No spam, advertising, or promoting of products/services. Please, only use your real name and limit the amount of links submitted in your comment.
You Might Also Like...
A Retreat for those with Facial Differences
Craniofacial conditions affect around 600,000 Americans Approximately 600,000 people in the United States live with a craniofacial condition or facial difference. That 600,000 includes two of my children and me. […]
Autism Awareness Month
Autism Awareness Month: Spotlight on Little Red Hen’s Autism Lifespan April is Autism Awareness Month, and there are many organizations in the North State that provide valuable services to families […]
Adapted Learning Tools Can Help Students Succeed
Adapted learning is a common term in the world of special education, and the tools of adapted learning are helping to revolutionize the way that students learn by transitioning away […]
Halloween Tips for Families of Children with Diverse Abilities
Although Halloween can be a fun time for kids of all abilities, it often can be overwhelming for children with special needs. They may have trouble with the loud noises, […]
