Special Olympians Attend Family Fun Day

For most families, spending time together on the weekends isn’t hard. But for families with a special needs child, it can be pretty difficult to find something the entire family can do together.

Greg Whitsitt’s little brother grew up with Down syndrome. And Whitsitt said he knows just how tough it can be to get the whole family together.

That’s why he decided to host a family fun day for Special Olympians.

More than 600 people attended the event Saturday afternoon at Whitsitt’s farm in Central City in Sebastian County.

There were ATVs to drive around in the woods, fish to try and catch, horses to ride and even a helicopter they could fly in.

“These are things these kids probably would never get the chance to do, and we’re out here helping them make it possible,” said Whitsitt.

For example, to help them get on the horses, Robert Biggerstaff and a group of coworkers handcrafted a staircase for the event. And volunteers lifted everyone who wanted a ride onto the horse from there.

Eddy Seavey, 42, has been an athlete with the Special Olympics since he was 5.

For him, family fun day is all about the people he gets to spend his day with: his family, and his lifelong friends he said.

His sister, Eunice Eble agreed.

“Eddy’s been such a blessing in our life that – well, every day Eddy’s excited,” Eble said. “But today’s just an extra special day. He gets to be with all of his friends as well as have his family here to support him.”

Whitsitt said today wouldn’t have been possible without all of the help he’s gotten from volunteers, who donated both their toys for the kids to play with, as well as their time.

This is the second year Whitsitt has hosted the event at his farm, and he said he plans to have everyone back out again next year. If you’re interested in helping out next year, Whitsitt said he would love to help you get involved.

“We could always use more help,” Whitsitt said.

Next year’s event is scheduled for the middle of August.