Our Journey Towards Inclusivity
As a mom of three (8,6 and 1 year old), I’ve often found it challenging to find places and activities that work for our family. My middle daughter has special needs, and since she was little, crowded spaces have been particularly overwhelming for her. It’s been tough to watch my oldest daughter hold back from activities she loves because of her sister's situation.
Initially, we decided to focus on one-on-one outings with my oldest daughter, which allowed for some special time together. However, I struggled with this choice, as I wanted to create shared experiences similar to those I had with my siblings. After some time, we decided to confront the situation and began exploring different places as a whole family.
While this journey hasn’t been easy, we’ve committed to not letting the opinions of others affect us. We’ve encountered some challenging situations and people who may not understand our family dynamics, but we’ve learned to focus on our own experiences rather than worry about what others think.
One of the significant challenges we continue to face is the lack of inclusive spaces. This realization has inspired the idea of inclusive event planning. I believe there’s a need for more environments where families like ours can enjoy activities together without limitations. My oldest daughter has been my biggest support through this journey, and together, we hope to create opportunities for families to share meaningful experiences.
We’re excited about the possibilities ahead and are open to learning from others who have navigated similar paths.