Parents at McMillan elementary school are raising money for an inclusive playground project that will accommodate children who use wheelchairs.
The school currently has two students in wheelchairs, with two more set to enroll in September of 2017. The McMillan Elementary School Parent Advisory Council and school administrators hope to purchase a piece of equipment called Sway Fun that glides and rocks back and forth and has room both for children who are in wheelchairs and those who are not.
Desiree Gauld, who has twin daughters with cerebral palsy who would be attending McMillan, said such playground equipment is badly needed.
“Witnessing a child experience the exclusion of sitting of the sidelines, with no opportunities to play alongside peers, siblings or family is incredibly heartbreaking,” Gauld said.
Gauld said the piece of equipment would also be accessible to other community members dealing with physical and emotional challenges.
The parent advisory council hopes to raise $40,000 to install the Sway Fun, and proceeds from the school’s annual fun fair on Friday, May 27, will go to the project. The fair runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and will include pony rides, raffles, a silent auction, climbing wall, wipe out, human spheres, face painting, a bouncy castle, games, concession and dessert cafe.