It is still September, but there are already Halloween events popping up. Not all of them are going to be appropriate for kids who have certain types of special needs, but at least one of them will. There is going to be a Zombie Walk for kids who have special needs, (and their families), in Ohio.
Have you ever participated in a Zombie Walk? I haven’t, but it sounds like a lot of fun. The shortest way to explain what happens at a Zombie Walk is to say that people arrive at one location, while dressed as zombies, and together, they walk, (or stagger), to a new location. It is sort of like an undead, costumed, parade.
There doesn’t have to be a big, meaningful, reason to organize a Zombie Walk. Many are set up just for the fun of it. These events can take place all year round and include people of all ages and backgrounds who want to dress up like a zombie and gather with a bunch of other people who also want to pretend to be a zombie for a while.
It is easy to see how a Zombie Walk would be an interesting thing to do as we get close to Halloween. In Canton, Ohio, there will be a Zombie Walk that is for children who have special needs and their families to participate in. It will happen on September 29, 2012. It will be modified in ways that will appropriately accommodate the specific needs of each child. It will also be a whole lot of fun!
The kids, (and their families) will have the opportunity to become a zombie (in whatever way they are comfortable with). Everyone who wants to participate must be dressed as a zombie. The walk will allow participants to move at their own pace. Parents are asked to pack a sack lunch for their children, as well as for themselves. This is intended as a way to accommodate for those who have food allergies or other special dietary needs.
When the Zombie Walk begins, kids with special needs, and their families, will go first as one big group. They will be followed by people who are supporters of those who have special needs. There will be a point where the two groups will merge as a symbolic sign that “as a community we should be one”. At the end of the walk, everyone is welcome to participate in Zombie dancing.
All participants in the Zombie Walk must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Everyone must, of course, be dressed as a zombie. The event is free, and is open to adults and kids with special needs and their families.
Image by yves Tennevin on Flickr