When Niam Manghnani wanted to play with bubbles at Adaptive Field Day, volunteers moved the soap onto a chair so he could reach it from his wheelchair.
The adjustment helped make the annual gathering at Cauley Creek Park accessible to another participant, Appen Media reported.
Families of children with and without disabilities attended the free event Saturday, Oct. 24, in Johns Creek. North Fulton Special Needs organized it through a partnership involving Roswell, Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and the Alpharetta Family YMCA.
Music stayed concentrated in selected areas, and a sensory-bottle station offered another way to participate. Games, inflatables, face painting and dancing filled out the day.
Attendance was lighter than expected after weather associated with Hurricane Isaias forced a postponement from Oct. 10. For Niam’s mother, Sonam Manghnani, the smaller crowd made navigating the event easier.
“I feel like it’s easier for my son to just freely navigate his wheelchair around,” she told Appen.
Volunteer Laura Henderson said the gathering helped connect families while demonstrating the value of inclusive recreation.
Henderson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, launched Special Strong North Atlanta earlier this year. Her adaptive fitness business serves Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs and neighboring communities, according to the company’s August announcement.
Johns Creek also offers adaptive game nights, dances and other activities. Its next listed event is a free Lunch with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. at Park Place at Newtown School.
Registration opens Nov. 1 and is required, according to the city’s adaptive recreation page.
