Special-needs families invited to 'welcoming' carnival in Aurora

Heading to a local carnival or amusement park can be daunting for families that have children with special needs.

A well-planned outing can be cut short from sensory overload for an autistic child, and standing in line for children with physical disabilities can range from uncomfortable to grueling.

Variety the Children's Charity of Illinois has a Special Needs Carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora aims to break down those barriers and overcome obstacles.

Families have the park at their disposal as operators will slow down the rides for children, no one is rushed to get on or off, and each participant gets a carnival prize.

"This provides a supportive environment," said Angelique Barthel, Variety executive director. "It's a very nonjudgmental and welcoming environment and it's free. Some of our families don't have a lot of disposable income. Children with developmental disabilities, they often don't have the same opportunities to enjoy things like a carnival or theme park."

Barthel said her organization has worked with Arlington Heights-based Fantasy Amusements the past 12 years to provide an opportunity for special needs children. The event includes free concessions and rides are unlimited, with negligible lines at best. The event is free, but families must register by emailing angelique@varietyofillinois.org by noon Friday.

Barthel said the carnival was open last weekend for special needs children; 60 families had the entire park to themselves as the rain held off.

Joel Gorecki, of Mokena, and his family went to the carnival at Fox Valley last weekend. Variety officials presented Gorecki's son, Noah, 9, with a customized adaptive wheelchair through its "Kids on the Go" program so he can continue to play wheelchair basketball.

Gorecki has 11 children, nine of whom have special needs and were adopted. Noah and his older brother, Zach, both are leg amputees, so standing in line while wearing a prosthetic can be a challenge.

"This was nice for my two kids and their siblings not having to worry about lines for physical reasons," Joel Gorecki said. "There's all sorts of special needs that can make waiting in line difficult. We drove 45 minutes. It ended up being well worth it. It's a really nice change for these younger and older kids to get a chance to get out."