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Special Person’s Day in LeRoy
something to smile about
At the end of August every year, the community of LeRoy
holds its annual Fall Festival. It is a great event for children
and families; it includes amusement rides, games, flashing
lights and sounds, big crowds, and fair food—all the things
that make a small town celebration special. However, for
some of our children, this environment is one that is not
easily enjoyed. For one reason
or another, the sensory aspect
of this event does not allow either
the child or the family to enjoy
the experience.
On August 24th, something awe-
some happened for those children
and their families. Our special
education life skills program (LIFE)
partnered with the LeRoy Fall
Festival Committee and Swyear
Jeff Baughman, Principal
LeRoy Junior/Senior High School
Thank you feels
inadequate, but all the
laughter and smiles from
kids who don’t normally get
to enjoy the festival says
more than I ever could.
—a parent attending the event
Amusement, Inc. to provide children and families an expe-
rience that many had previously never been able to enjoy.
The First Annual Special Person’s Day—originally conceived
by our LIFE lead teacher, Danielle Cooley—provided our
children with special needs and their families the opportunity
to experience all the festival has to offer without the limitations
that so often make such events
impossible for them.
For two hours, families from
LeRoy and neighboring
communities had free run of
rides, games and food without
the lights, sounds and crowds
that make these events a
stressful experience for them.
Things that are simple for many
children—getting on and off
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