A group of special-needs young adults spread their figurative wings last Saturday at the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA), located off River Road in Fenwick.
Ellen and Glen Robins, who live only a kilometre from the airport, helped organize the event, and brought their special-needs grandson John with them.
“We are expecting up to 50 people in total, including special-needs young adults and their caregivers,” said Ellen. “The plan today is basically watching planes take off and land, and observing the skydivers as they drop onto the main field beside the runway. I think at some point we may be able to get into the hangar where the skydivers prepare their parachutes for the jump. A barbecue lunch at noon will be the culmination of the event.”
Kyle, from Dain City, said he had a passion for planes.
“And boats, too!” he was quick to add.
Alex, from Welland, said that he likes aircraft, but that his real passion is five-pin bowling. In fact, he will be attending a Special Olympics event in Calgary later this summer to participate in the sport.
Event organizer Cyril Warren said that he regularly transports half a dozen of the young adults to recreational activities like swimming and bowling. He said that he was appreciative of the food for the barbecue, donated by a local Sobeys.
