This year we are hosting our fourth annual Family Fun Craft Day at Ladner Baptist Church. Tomorrow's event, however, is so much more than making art.
The event grew out of the desire to provide a supportive and welcoming place for families with children and individuals with a range of abilities participate in accessible activities and nurture relationships between families and our community. Over the years, we began with a small number of families in attendance, and each year we have grown steadily to create a muchanticipated event.
Growing up with a twin who has multiple medical conditions and working alongside other families each day, I know even the simplest task such as making dinner or getting to an activity on time can be a struggle due to a host of issues.
Chronic illness, emotional, developmental and learning challenges, as well as complex medical conditions, can make for frequent visits to doctors and specialists, add a series of unpleasant medical procedures and behavioral meltdowns, put a strain on family dynamics, and cause anxiety and stress over the future care for a loved one.
Not all families can play a sport, enjoy a movie or even travel together. Art, however, can be a great equalizer. Everyone is wonderfully and beautifully made and can be creative in their own way.
While many community services are segregated based on ability and age, art events such as these provide an opportunity for individuals to work alongside others who are different from themselves in age, ability and interests. Creativity can be explored and shared with others, each in their own way.
Making a finished product is not the point, it's the process that counts. Art making provides a setting for conversations to emerge around how to interact with those who are different and learn how to practice compassion and empathy. It's a platform for raising awareness, teaching our kids about kindness and helping them learn how to include others, skills that can extend and serve them in their everyday life, at school and in our community.
Providing our children with the social tools such as these has the possibility of creating meaningful relationships, not just a works of art. So as we celebrate both Valentine's Day and Family Day, may we remember what it's all about: being a caring individual, a loving partner, a supportive family member, a good friend, a connected sibling. Now that is something to celebrate.
Families of individuals and children of any age who have different abilities are welcome to participate in the Family Fun Craft Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Ten craft tables, refreshments and an accessible obstacle course is waiting for you. The event is fully accessible and it's free.
Ladner Baptist Church is located at 5624 Ladner Trunk Rd. For more information, call 604-946-0141 or visit www.ladnerbaptist.ca.
Meg Neufeld is part of the Connect Ministry Team, which supports special needs families, and is the co-founder and creative arts director of Alongside You, an integrated health clinic in Ladner Village.
