| While a family reunion is a great chance for
the family to get together, it's important to remember your elderly or disabled family
members, and take their special needs into consideration. Although some of these
family members may be happy just sitting around shooting the breeze, others may want to
join in the fun. Organization
If you have elderly or disabled family members that will be attending, you might
want to consider creating a special subcommittee just for this purpose. This
subcommittee would be responsible for determining if there are any family members with
special needs (disabilities, special diets, etc). This is done easily enough by
adding the following comment to the pre-reunion survey, reunion announcement, or other
early mailing... "If any family member has special needs that the reunion
committee should be aware of, please contact John Doe". I assume Mister
Spiffy doesn't need to tell you to replace "John Doe" with the name of the
subcommittee chairman, and to add a way to contact him or her.
The subcommittee chairman should make a list of these special
needs, and present them to the main reunion committee who can decide how to handle them.
The subcommittee is then responsible for following through on whatever decision is
made.
Reunion Types and Locations
One of the big considerations is the type (and location) of your reunion, and
whether it is feasible for elderly or disabled family members. Now Mister Spiffy
isn't saying not to have good active reunions, just make sure that there is something to
do for everyone. For example, if you want to have a reunion at a water park, make
sure that those who can't (or don't want to) slide have something to do besides sitting
around getting sunburned. Make sure there is plenty of shade, and comfortable places
to sit around and chat. Most importantly, if you are having a reunion at a public or
private site, make sure the facilities are accessible to all family members who will be
attending.
Games and Activities
Make sure that there are at least a few activities that anyone can participate in,
including elderly or disabled family members. Have a deck of cards or some board
games for the less mobile family members. For more ideas, you might want to check
out the book Popular Activities & Games for Blind, Visually Impaired &
Disabled People.
Food
One item that many people overlook when planning a reunion is the special diets of
some family members. It isn't necessary to plan the entire menu around a person's
special diet, just make sure nobody has to go hungry (the number one family reunion sin,
according to Mister Spiffy). Here is the ultimate resource for people on special
diets.
Travel
One of the bigger considerations for elderly or disabled family members is travel
to and from the reunion (as well as any necessary travel while at the reunion).
Although travel to the reunion is usually the responsibility of the immediate family
itself, here are some tips on traveling with
various disabilities, which you may want to pass on to the interested party. In
addition, here are some other travel resources
for the elderly or disabled.
Other Resources
Yellow Pages for the disabled
and elderly
Phone numbers
for associations and organizations for the disabled
Addresses for
associations and organizations for the disabled
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