Donations pay for special swings for disabled children at two Marysville parks
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, August 24, 2011
MARYSVILLE — Jessie Atkins realized there was something missing from two city playgrounds near her home.
Her daughter, Acashia, 9, could play on the playground structures but it was more difficult for her son, Stage, 4, to enjoy them. The swing sets in particular weren’t easy for Stage, who
has a genetic condition that makes it difficult to use his muscles, she said.
Atkins wrote a letter to the city asking that adaptive swings for disabled children be put into city parks.
She learned there wasn’t money in the city’s budget for that type of swing, which is made of hard plastic with leg supports and a harness.
For three years, she kept asking city departments, boards and groups.
Her persistence paid off at the end of July when an adaptive swing was installed in Jennings Memorial Park, 6915 Armar Road. Another went up at Comeford Park, 514 Delta Ave. The swings give her son the chance to play at those parks, she said.
“For us it’s awesome,” said Atkins, president of the Marysville School District Special Education PTSA. “I finally have something to make me feel like we’re like every other family at the park.”
The two swings cost about $600 each and were paid for by a donation from Soroptimist International of Marysville, parks director Jim Ballew said. The $1,800 donation also paid for free Wi-Fi access for visitors at the Ken Baxter Community Center.
The swings were dedicated Aug. 11 in a ceremony at Jennings Memorial Park. Atkins and Stage joined Soroptimists and park officials at the event.
“The best part of all was hearing Stage squeal with delight as he was pushed in the swing,” said Renae James, president of Soroptimist International of Marysville. “Seeing first hand how our contribution helped bring joy to a young boy and I am sure many other children was very moving and motivational for us ladies.”
Atkins said friends who are parents of disabled children have sent her photos of their children using the swings.
She would like to see adaptive swings at other parks in the city.
“We have a huge vision for Marysville to make it a more open and inclusive place for people with disabilities and their families,” she said.
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491; adaybert@heraldnet.com.
