Roller skating is not only fun, but it's great exercise and a great group activity.
So, when Liz Carroll was looking for a birthday party idea for her 9-year-old daughter Hayley and her classmates. skating came to mind. There was one issue, however. Hayley and her classmates are all on the autism spectrum, and a crowded roller rink might be overwhelming many of them. So, she rented out the whole rink.
"The skates, the environment, the lights, every detail was so important to make sure everyone felt welcome," Carroll said.
The party was such a success. It inspired the owner to do a special skate for kids with autism and other special needs once a month.
The Tinley Park Roller Rink has been around more than 70 years. It is a family business owned by Marge and Ray Quitter, who were professional skaters. But, this is the first time they have hosted an event like this.
"Let's have a special skate for kids with special needs and need a place to go and have fun and meet other kids," Tinley Park Roller Rink owner Carey Westberg-Quitter said.
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Because loud music and bright lights can cause sensory overload for some of the kids, they can turn down the volume and lower the lights to make them more comfortable. Manager Deanna Hansen says there is a real need for a place like this.
"We have a lot of special needs kids that come in," Hansen said. "I think it would be great for them to have an environment specifically geared toward them."
The rink is offering this as a service to the community. It's not a money making proposition. The special needs kids and their families can skate for free.
Hayley and her companion Taylor wouldn't miss it.
"For people not just children with special needs to be able to come here and have a special place where they can truly be themselves," Carroll said.
There will be plenty of skaters out there on Sunday, which is the first day of the special skates. They will have them every fourth Sunday of the month after that.