Comments on: How to Include a Friend With Special Needs Around Your Dinner Table

By: The Peace Patch

The Peace Patch — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:17:08 +0000

When I was growing up we always included my parents’ blind friend in our celebrations and often invited him over for dinner. He was really fun and had a great sense of humor so he was always laughing and good-natured about things. He taught me a lot about not taking yourself too seriously and accepting life as it comes. :)
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! It’s perfect for game day!

By: kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts

kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:33:16 +0000

Thank you for this post. I opened my life (we were between homes at the time) to someone with special needs when I had my son 14 yrs ago. He has Spina Bifida.
I hesitate to open our home to his teammates (he plays wheelchair basketball and sled hockey) because our home is not accessible (my son is able to walk) and his teammates typically use wheelchairs for mobility. We’re able to carry a single teammate and his chair into our home and be together on the main floor, but it’s harder to have a team party in our home so we don’t do it. Easier to have the party at the gym after a practice.
The best solution to a team party is what I’m seeing with his new sled hockey team: the post-tournament party in the hotel breakfast area. [As an aside, most disabled sports teams have to travel to find another disabled sports team to compete against, so tournaments are a great opportunity for multiple games against multiple teams with one travel obligation.] The team mom for hockey provides the entree and a few sides, asks other families to provide drinks and dessert, and we all rendezvous in the breakfast area of the hotel in the evening. The hotels have so far been happy to oblige, the area is accessible and we can move chairs out of the way to make room for the wheelchairs. The parents can enjoy adult beverages together, the kids love hanging out, and it’s great fellowship for the team. Over the weekend at a sled hockey tournament in Columbus, Ohio we enjoyed 2 types of tortellini and corkscrew pasta with marinara and alfredo sauces, meatballs, Caesar salad and bread (I brought double chocolate cherry oatmeal cookies)–this worked for folks on many types of diets. I’m taking this idea and sharing it with my son’s basketball team for future tournaments.
Well, I sure didn’t intend to go this far with my reply!
Thanks!

By: Belle (from Life of a...)

Belle (from Life of a...) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:16:27 +0000

I’m behind on my blog reading…love this post. My brother Ned has Downs Syndrome and he has always been included in our big (and small) events, as well as those of our friends. He’s the chief #1 blesser of every meal.

By: Heather P

Heather P — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:12:58 +0000

I get to include a Down Syndrome child every day! My daughter has Down Syndrome and is a joy, most of the time. She is like a regular child that has her moments and teaching moments. Thanks for including something like this in your postings!

By: Donnetta

Donnetta — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:01:37 +0000

Reading this touched a very special and personal place in my heart! Thank you!

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:45:45 +0000

Great post. Sometimes, family members of those with special needs could use a break, but often they need their loved one embraced and included. Welcoming everyone and accommodating everyone’s need to our best ability is the essence of hospitality–a hand extended in love.

By: marla

marla — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:26:39 +0000

A beautiful evening with friends is priceless and being able to accommodate someone with special needs makes it even more important. Lovely menu too.

By: Kristi from NC

Kristi from NC — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:34:07 +0000

Our eleven year old son has Down syndrome. Thank you for posting about this topic! They need friends and to be treated lovingly and respectably just as much as everyone else does :).

By: Richella at Imparting Grace

Richella at Imparting Grace — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:28:36 +0000

Great post, Sandy!

My nephew has Down Syndrome. Having him here in our home is a pleasure! He’s such a beautiful spirit–he adds so much joy and grace wherever he goes. :)

By: Deidra

Deidra — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:00:42 +0000

I was thinking how great this was. We have friends with special dietary restrictions and I always love getting to cook for them. I know it’s not easy and a lot of people shy away from it, so it’s a fun challenge. I was trying to think of who else I could include when I read the last bit. Hello– our dearest friends’ daughter is Down Syndrome! It doesn’t even hit me that she’s special needs. She’s just Claire, a busy three year old, to us. And I’m so glad that’s the way it is.