Altamaha Down Syndrome Society Hosts Back to School Bash

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

The Altamaha Down Syndrome Society will welcome all families of individuals with special needs to join in a Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 26.

This Bash will be held from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the South Georgia Bounce Funhouse in Lyons, which features several inflatable slides and bounce houses, as well as other activities. This event will offer individuals the chance to enjoy the facility without worry of sensory issues, which Founder Stacie Randolph said has been months in the making.

“We have wanted to plan another event for several months, and are excited to be back with our fellow special needs community,” Randolph remarked. “Now that school is back in session and everyone is back to routine, we are excited to pick up where we left off and continue to provide events to allow individuals with special needs to be able to enjoy new places and activities without worry of any issues that may arise.”

This nonprofit organization was created in 2021 when a group of parents of children with special needs set out to create a group of fellowship, awareness, and acceptance within the area. “It gives our children a chance to experience the same fun things as children who are deemed ‘normal’ by society experience,” Fellow ADSS Representative Cynthia Crawford emphasized. “For example, my child cannot tolerate loud music or excessive crowds; these things cause her to go into crisis mode and make her completely shut down, which usually comes with crying, screaming, and holding her ears. Her heartbeat will also race and she can’t move. She just wants to go home to her safe place, but she deserves to experience things, just like any other kid.”

The event on Saturday will be completely free to those with special needs and their families. For more information on the Bash, or on the Altamaha Down Syndrome Society, contact Stacie Randolph at (912) 253-3356.