06/09/2026
William joined me at our special needs micro fair in South Barrington.
All businesses and actors are special needs.
Attending events is very difficult for him.
This one we’ve been invited to for 3 years and it’s one of our favorites.
I ask him to go to the Sunday show as he usually has a baseball game on Saturday, which he did and to gain confidence.
He does so, reluctantly, but we go prepared .
Headphones, that he typically won’t wear any other time. They’re just another sensory issue to manage.
Favorite video games.
Water and snacks.
It’s an easier show for him to attend in many ways as we sell for 45 minutes and then the guests attend a special needs play so it’s quiet for an hour and then they come back out and we sell again.
That’s when it’s gets really challenging for him.
Hundreds of people come out of the auditorium at the same time.
The volume rises like a late night concert and the tables are swarmed up to 4 people back.
He puts on his headphones, preps bags and fills them with a purchase for me while I handle payment and chit chat.
He then puts his mind into his games, head down and behind a shelving display next to me.
I see and hear his anxiety rising with consistent interruption of conversations for his needs, wanting to buy a new game on his phone, anything to redirect his mind from the chaos and get my attention.
At one point, when the crowd settled a bit, he wanted to go check out the other tables.
Although I knew that was his way of getting away from the chaos and be in control of his surroundings, I also knew that he would impulse buy through his anxiety and cautioned him to be careful of his bank account balance.
He returned the first time with this pretty planter and was excited to have a gift for me. He said he bought it because I love lavender, the scent. I love it!
The second time out he came back with the bar soap, also, lavender scented.
The third time, he bought himself a drink, me a water and himself a lap blanket with dogs on it.
He was so proud of his purchases and his awareness of his spending.
His account balance remained in tact, his thoughtfulness shining through and his purchases well thought out.
It’s good for him to experience these little/big challenges occasionally as the big world doesn’t have a lot of understanding for those who have different needs.
No matter where we go, we are met with judgement to a degree, even at a church, and we did.
In many ways I no longer feel the need to explain, but in this circumstance I did.
It’s about educating, spreading awareness and acceptance.
He needs to learn to navigate and use his coping skills to carry through in a safe place with a safe person.
I’m proud of how well he managed.
We approach each challenge with preparation as to make the experience as pleasant as possible and plan safe, quiet places to retreat to if needed.
Again, so proud of his progress!
Thank you to everyone who was kind, supportive and asked about our story with true interest. We appreciate you!
See you next June!
