A CHRISTMAS prom is being held for disabled children who may not otherwise be given the opportunity to attend their school prom.
The FAB group is made up of parents and carers for disabled children across Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster who have Down’s syndrome, autism and other complex medical needs.
The group wants children to be able to experience opportunities that their peers have the opportunity to do, so parents and carers came together and formed the group last year and take children on residential and activity days.
One child, Maddie Scott, 11, of Dodworth, has been part of the group since it was founded last year. She has global development delay and other complex needs.
Her mum, Pauline Scott, said: “Laura Wilburn, who founded the group, has been Maddie’s teaching assistant for over three years. She attends Greenacre school but has never had the opportunities that she is getting with The Fab Group.
“Maddie can’t access ordinary group things and she can’t be left alone because she’s a runner. She has no awareness of danger and she is very behind her peers. It can be hard to find things for her to do that she enjoys.
“Through Fab she was able to go on a residential to Kingswood, where she went on a zip wire, practised archery and went on a climbing wall. Seeing the pictures of her having fun and doing things that her peers can experience is amazing.
“I am so excited for her to be part of the prom. I’ve never seen her in a big dress and it’s an amazing event that has been planned and it will be a great opportunity for them to dance and enjoy themselves.”
The prom is being held at Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, and the venue has allowed them to use it for free. The group is currently trying to raise funds and secure free transport, decorations, hair supplies and catering for the red carpet event.
Laura said: “The prom is an opportunity for the children to enjoy themselves and experience something they wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to have. We have had a few companies approach us and a hairdresser who specialises in doing hair for disabled children but we are still in need of transport and other things.
“I founded this group with the aim of allowing the ‘forgotten children’ to do what other children are able to do.
“In addition to the prom, I plan to take them on residential and day trips and we’re constantly raising funds to enable us to achieve these dreams for the children. A lot of our clients need two-to-one support in addition to the things they need medically when we go away so it’s a lot to consider and organise but as a team we are adamant to give these children these opportunities and make their dreams come true. Our next plan is to hopefully take the children to Disneyland Paris.”
If you are able to help with supplies for the prom send a message to The Fab Group Fundraising page on Facebook. To donate, click here.
