Miami Herald: Medical facility is party central for day of kinship

[Guest guest]

Posted on Sun, Dec. 26, 2004

WESTON

Medical facility is party central for day of kinship

For one day, kids at the Dan Marino Center put aside the usual concerns and work

hard at having holiday fun.

BY JULIE LEVIN

Special to The Herald

When comes to the Dan Marino Center in Weston, it is usually

for an appointment with one of his therapists or doctors.

But on a windy and rainy afternoon in December, the 11-year-old from Pembroke

Pines came to the center determined only to have fun.

''He was very excited to come see Santa today. He couldn't wait,'' said his

mother, Clara .

's goal was shared by hundreds of other youngsters and their parents who

came to the fourth annual children's holiday party on Dec. 17.

Administrators organize the party each year to let their young patients trade

therapy appointments for fun and games.

''It's nice to be able to do something for the kids so they can associate the

center with more than hard work,'' administrative director Albert Rego said.

The children have a variety of developmental disabilities and often are at the

center for occupational, speech, physical or behavioral therapies two or three

times a week.

The party is also a release for parents. It gives the children a chance to

associate with kids with similar disabilities in an unpressured situation.

''If a kid is running or screaming or yelling, they don't look at you strange

here. It's the same for everyone else,'' said Jeannette Hand of Plantation, who

brings three children to the center two days a week.

The event has grown each year, attracting both more participants and community

involvement. Rego said without the help of sponsors, the party would be nearly

impossible to put on.

Students from Cypress Bay High School in Weston volunteered their time to help

with the party. They're part of a club called F.R.A.T., or Relationships

between Autism and Teens, in its first year.

The club was started by junior Santos and has already attracted 50

members, many of whom came to help with the party.

'It's wonderful. I love to see the smiles on the kids' faces,'' Santos said.

The center has other events for the children throughout the year, but the

holiday party is the biggest. This year, the center invited a knitting and

crochet group from Delray Beach, and the members brought handmade teddy bears

for each child.

The Bear Ladies of Cocowood Lakes knits hundreds of bears each year and

distributes them to kids in hospitals. They get as much enjoyment giving them

as the kids do receiving them.

''A teddy bear is something they can hug,'' said Shirley Swartz of Delray Beach.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2004 Herald.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.miami.com