In Our Shoes ‘He loves just being like every other kid’
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n his first day of first grade, Owen Chaidez was terrified. And not for the usual reasons. Although his elementary school worked hard to adapt the inside of the building for his wheelchair and other needs, the outside was a different story. On the playground, trying to play just like the other kids, Owen’s chair got stuck, and when the bell rang, he found himself trapped and all alone. “I told him, ‘I’ll find a way this will never happen again,’” says his mom, Peg Chaidez, who believes the inclusive universally designed playground
How to help To donate and for more information about Dream Build Play Experience, visit dbpexperience. com or facebook.com/ dbpexperience. she and others envision for Hillcrest Elementary School will help the entire community of Downers Grove. Chaidez partnered with Sharon Duncan of Abide In Me (abideinme.org) to help take
the idea from paper to reality. “At the end of the day, any time I think I’m going to fail, Owen always reminds me that I never quit and I can do anything. I won’t fail on this for him. I’ll find a way,” she says. Owen is showing everyone his mettle, too. Born with Arthrogryposis, with his legs like a pretzel, doctors warned he would never walk. It was just one thing on doctors’ long list of nevers for Owen. Now 9, Owen is learning to walk distances, with his sights set on racing with his mom. “It’s just amazing to see. He is so proud that he can do this,” Chaidez says. “I understand now when people say what a blessing it is to have a child with special needs because my life has been so different. I’ve had so many experiences I wouldn’t have had if we didn’t have Owen. It just changed my whole perspective, the way I approach other people, different situations.” Chaidez and Owen, who wants to be a paleontologist like his hero Philip J. Currie, hope to get everyone involved in building the playground. Though it’s been slow, they can’t give up, something Chaidez learned when Owen was born. “People tell you that it will be hard (with a child with special needs), just like having kids is always going to be struggle, but until you are in it and living it every day, you have to have that mindset that you can’t quit. You can’t say ‘this is too much, I can’t do it.’ This is what moms do, this is what parents do. We work together, we find a way.” At least $250,000 is needed for the playground. Hillcrest students have already raised $8,000 themselves. As the push for donations continues, Owen will be the charming boy in the dino tie explaining to anyone who will listen exactly why the inclusive playground is important. “He really believes in the good in people,” Chaidez says. ChicagoParent.com |
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In mom’s words The best advice you ever received: Find your support network and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are strong because you asked for help when you needed it most. What is your best mom survival strategy? Laughter. Even on the worst days (including surgeries), as a family we try and make each other laugh until we cry. The one thing you’d change about being a parent with a child with special needs: Access to the adaptive equipment and therapies my child needs without a fight. Helping your child become independent and flourish shouldn’t involve daily battles over whether it is needed and what is covered.
Specıal Parent Summer 2015 CHICAGO
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