JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- There are events that are fun, and there are those that are networking opportunities -- and then there are the ones that are both.
The Army Community Service Exceptional Family Member Program on Joint Base Lewis-McChord is increasing opportunities for Families to get out and have fun, but also to ask questions and connect with resources. Among them was the program's Fall Harvest Festival Oct. 29.
"Our objective is really to keep people involved," ACS EFMP systems navigator Terry Giles said.
The plan is to have at least one event a month. They're all fun and family-oriented, and maybe educational, but they'll also give people the chance to get to know systems navigators and other EFMP Families.
The festival itself was a great start, and the first big event since the effort started. Families got a deal on admission bracelets, and had a ton of activities to choose from at Schilter Family Farm in Olympia. There were pony rides, mazes and even a series of games to help collect donations for the JBLM Autism Support Group.
"It's really about watching the Families get out and have fun," the support groups founder, Cheryl Beene, said.
The concept is simple, but just getting out and having fun can be difficult for Families that have special needs. First, there are a lot of out of pocket expenses for many EFMP members, so cost is even more of an issue than usual. But also, it's hard to find a place where people won't stare or judge.
"A huge part of it is socialization for the Families and the kids because not everyone understands," Letticia Bonet, a support group member, said.
Technical Sergeant Steve Borregard, 1st Air Support Operations Group, and his wife Kathleen Borregard know exactly how this feels. Their oldest son, Darrien, is autistic, and though he looks like the 14-year-old he is, mentally he's closer to a 6 or 7 year old.
"It's hard to take him to normal things," Kathleen said.
Around Halloween, for instance, people assume he's too old for Trick-or-Treating and kids' games. But that doesn't mean that getting out in the world isn't important for him. In fact, practicing social and communication skills is part of his therapy.
EFMP events offer a safe space for this, but there's more than one way they can take advantage of that sense of community.
"The more people see of us and trust us, (the more) it will become people specifically contacting us," Giles said.
Marisa Petrich: marisa.petrich@nwguardian.com
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