Egg hunt creates opportunity for those with special needs
Published 4:11 pm Monday, March 29, 2021
Hannah Wilson helps Charlie Wilson get an egg off the fence. (JOYANN LOVE/ ADVERTISER)
Levi Cofer gently holds a chick. (JOYANN LOVE/ ADVERTISER)
Jacob Childress with the Easter Bunny.
Ella Rose plays with the chicks.
Gabe Weeks looks at the chicks.
Braydon having fun.
Jasmine, Dallas and Dawn Brasher play with a chick.
Ryleigh Cofer is ready to find some eggs.
The egg course for children in wheel chairs.
Gabe Weeks and Mariah Williams find eggs in the sand.
Mallory, from left, Keegan and Houston
Branson and Aultman
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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor
An Easter egg hunt where everyone could participate, no matter their level of ability.
This was the goal for Hannah Wilson when she began planning the Egg-Stra Special Egg Hunt.
“I thought it would be cool to have a local Easter egg hunt that was accessible for all kids with special needs, and I wanted it to be fun for their siblings, too,” Wilson of Plantersville said.
On March 27, Eggs were hung along the fence and hidden in a container of sand on a table, so children in wheelchairs could reach them. For those who may have issues picking up an egg, Wilson placed magnets in the eggs, and children could use a special stick with a magnet to pick them up. A separate egg finding course was set up for children who would be walking.
The event gave families a chance to have fun with others who understand what having a child with special needs is like.
“I wanted it to be a relaxing thing going into it,” Wilson said. “You wouldn’t have to worry about your kid making a scene or being left out or not fitting in because we get it.”
Seeing all of the families enjoying the event and being able to participate was the best part for Wilson.
In researching ideas, Wilson did not find much, so she brainstormed her own ideas and is now planning to create a video to post online about how she did it.
She was also able to share the magnetic egg sets with some of the children who were unable to attend.
About 40 people, including children with special needs and their families, were able to attend.
Wilson has connected with other parents of children with special needs through the “Special in a Small Town” Facebook group.
Wilson said the group has been helpful to connect with others in Chilton County who have children with special needs to ask questions and to share information about resources.
She held the egg hunt as an event for families in the group.
After seeing how things turned out this year, Wilson hopes to make it an annual event and potentially invite more children and families in the county next year.
