The Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society is hosting its first event at indoor inflatable park Red Bank Bounce, inviting children with Down syndrome and their siblings to have some fun Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.
"Moms want their kids to have fun with other kids - kids who look like them and some who don't, some who have similar abilities and others who don't to create an inclusive environment," said society board member Latricia Milburn.
The society hosts activities for people with Down syndrome and their families as part of its mission to enhance the quality of life for people with Down syndrome by providing resources, education, advocacy and a supportive community. Since it serves Chattanooga and the surrounding areas, the group tries to host events in a variety of areas in addition to downtown in order to reach people in different communities, she said.
Contributed photo by Latricia Milburn / Coleson Penney, Maverick Cochran and Lila Milburn, from left, attend a Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society event at Modern Play in East Brainerd.Any family with children with Down syndrome is welcome, regardless of whether they are members of the society.
"We always want to offer fun things for children, but our main priority is to provide support for families and connect people so they know someone else who knows what they're going through," said Milburn, a mother of two children with Down syndrome.
For safety, Red Bank Bounce is restricted to kids age 11 and younger. All children must wear socks.
No RSVP is necessary, and the society is providing snacks for attendees.
Red Bank Bounce is at 2011 Dayton Blvd.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.
Contributed photo by Latricia Milburn / Crew Ingle and Avett Thomas, from left, attend a Chattanooga Down Syndrome Society music class at Concord Baptist Church. The society holds classes and activities in Chattanooga and surrounding areas for people with Down syndrome and their families.