Extra special parent-toddler group celebrates fourth annual family fun day
The Extra Special Patent & Toadier Group held its Fourth annual Family Fun Day at Drumhierny Wood-and Hideaway in Leitrim Village on Sunday, August 30.
More than 40 local families attended the event, which ran from 12 noon to 2.30 pm and included entertainment, games and food.
The group was founded in 2022 by local parents navigating the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic with babies born with Down syndrome, including the Founder and organiser's daughter, Katie.
It began with four families and now supports more than 40 families across the region, providing social gatherings, developmental resources and peer support.
Activities include therapeutic yoga, play therapy and baby massage, while the group also arranges occupational therapy, speech and language, and physiotherapy-based workshops.
Family days out and seasonal celebrations are also held.
"Everything we do is guided by one core belief that our children are amazing and deserve opportunity, joy, and community, and that no family should feel alone on this journey," organisers shared. "We learn together, lean on each other, laugh a lot, and celebrate every milestone big and small."
Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins attended Sunday's event, which welcomed newcomers and founding members.
For information about the group, upcoming workshops or how to get involved, contact the community organisers at [email protected].
The day was captured in photographs by Leitrim photographer David Knight.