Altus AFB hosts innovative Exceptional Family Member and Special Needs Carnival Published Sept. 15, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Altus AFB was one of six Air Education and Training Command bases selected to receive a $1000 grant to host an exceptional family member and special needs event. The exceptional family member program includes a variety of military and family support functions. Military personnel must enroll if they have a member of their family with a diagnosed medical or educational disability. The Air Force Personnel Center considers membership in the program when a service member is being considered for a new assignment to ensure that the family member can get appropriate care at the new location. Only 27 installations Air Force wide received grant money from the Air Force Aid Society. The intent of the one day event was to bring special needs families together in a fun and informative setting while making them aware of support agencies and programs available to them and their families, according to the grant announcement. "In the past, many of the children with special needs both on and off base have not had the opportunity to attend Special Olympics (in Lawton, Okla.) either due to restraints on funding, parents' deployments or other obstacles," said Jackie Williams, carnival coordinator. In keeping with the spirit of community, Altus AFB is planning on hosting a base wide "AF America's Special Olympics" for the community." "This activity will be open to all AF special needs families. We hope to improve the quality of life, for everyone; to include emotionally bruised children needing help with social activities, physically challenged children discovering new skills, an accident victim discovering new methods for achieving mobility, or a wounded veteran wanting to receive maximum benefit from recreational activities," she added. One hundred twenty-three special needs children, their families, and 76 volunteers came out to enjoy the carnival. The event included information booths, free food, activities for all participants appropriate to their development, analysis of individual needs and school assessments, demonstrations from base organization, and activities to improve physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges. "I think it was very good fun and very structured and yet the kids were allowed to have some freedom and got to interact with other kids. It was just a very enjoyable time," said Christine Alsip, mother of one of the attendees. Scott Kinney, a volunteer, said the most inspiring thing about the carnival was "spending time with the kids and watching them having fun." Connor Leaf, a participant, said his favorite things were "...snacks, and playing in the balls." "The goal was to increase awareness of the services we have to offer and to support all military family members with special needs. Networking amongst family members is encouraged to promote information exchange and education," Ms. Williams said. "The carnival was an excellent way to network and have fun at the same time." "The event went fantastic. The kids had a wonderful time and the teachers had to pull them into the busses because they didn't want to leave. I never saw so many smiles on the volunteers and kids' faces. It was just amazing. This is one event that we will be repeating again and expanding to include other school districts in the upcoming years. To see the joy on the kids' faces made it all worth the hard work," she added.