PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The Easter bunny was in town a bit earlier this year for the first ever Autism Awareness Easter Ball in Portsmouth.
Sunday’s event featured games, a bouncy house, live music, as well as resources for local families.
“It’s been great. Everyone was hands on, and couldn’t wait,” said event organizer Ronnie Ward, “just giving awareness to the community of autism is enlightening. Letting them know that they are here. Everyone is the same. We just want to make sure everyone has a fair chance at everything.”
10 On Your Side spoke with one of the event’s organizers who says she saw the need for an event like this after her time working in law enforcement.
“A lot of individuals were coming in with mental health issues, or they were actually on the autism spectrum, and they didn’t get the help that they needed,” said event organizer Kendra Rascoe, “so I went over to the day support and community engagement side of it. We have a support service for those individuals during the day so that way we can see the person and not the disability.”
As a mother with a child on the spectrum, Rascoe says the event was all about bringing everyone together to raise awareness, and connect them with resources.
“It’s important once that everybody sees that the child is an individual. Let them know that there’s a lot of community resources out here,” said Rascoe, “there’s a lot of us in the community that are more than willing to support.”
The event even offered parents the chance to relax and enjoy themselves.
“We have individuals that are trained to monitor the children,” said Rascoe, “so that way the parents can enjoy themselves and get a breather as well.”
Rascoe spoke to 10 On Your Side about the many organizations that were at the event.
“We have Dr. Canon from Blessed Christian Homeschool, Brittney from the Autism Society of Tidewater, ABA groups, the Shaquena Mullen Foundation, they’re geared for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism,” said Rascoe, “Boys to Men 757, and Glam Kiddz.”
10 On Your Side spoke with Glam Kidz founder Kiesha Martin who had a message to the community as she and other organizers are looking to make the Easter Ball an annual event
“It’s for the kids and even for adults. Come on, let’s jump on this. Let’s be apart, let’s come as one family and let’s do for our community,” said Martin, “I think it should be another annual every year. This should be watched a year, maybe twice a year.