Vermilion Rotary donates to help child with special needs

Last month, the Vermilion Rotary Club donated $2,000 to Brighter Beginnings towards their purchase of a Rifton Activity Chair, which will allow a local child easier access around the classroom.

The chair helps children with special needs, it can adjust height levels and provide supports and attachments for activities

Brighter Beginnings has been providing early childhood education in Vermilion and area for over 20 years. Director Susan Kern said the activity chair was built to last for the next 4-5 years, and was purchased for an individual child to use for as long as they need.

“It is a state of the art chair with all the bells and whistles,” said Kern.

The family has been very appreciative of the donation.

“Being local and supporting Rotary and attending rotary events was just something we did to support a community not to ever receive anything back, but this just goes to show how things come full circle and we are sincerely grateful,” the family said, who wished not to be named.

“I think the wish of any parent is for their child to have the best quality of life and to be able to do all of the things he or she wishes to do.
“We have been blessed with a child who is smart, bright and determined. Our child is also someone who was born with a disability that makes simple things in life that we all often take for granted a daily challenge.”

They said the Rifton Activity Chair can benefit its users by supporting goal development in both mobility and communication.

Its versatility allows them to be at varied levels for social development and increase mental well-being while having support and stability to perform everyday school tasks.

Socially, it provides opportunities to be a part of peer activities and play at the same eye level as their friends so they can engage and converse.

“This sense of belonging and inclusiveness would not be possible in a wheelchair,” said the family.

“Already since it was received our child has built self-confidence, gained communication with peers and felt a sense of belonging with more natural face-to-face interactions at eye level with their peers.

“Thanks to the Vermilion Rotary Club we are able to try and give our child those same opportunities as any other. It truly takes a village to raise a child and we are so fortunate to be a part of this village that we call home.”