OKLAHOMA (KFSM) — For many children can’t wait to go see Saint Nick this time of the year, but for some children it can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why a local non-profit organization is helping out by offering Sensitive Santa.
Children with disabilities can be timid seeing a big jolly Santa and tell him what they want on their Christmas list, but with help from the Pervasive Parenting Center they can see a softer side of Saint Nicholas.
The Pervasive Parenting Center is a non-profit organization that started Sensitive Santa four years ago. The organization was started by a family after they found out their son was diagnosed with autism. Kodey Toney and his wife have a son named Connor who was diagnosed when he was three years old.
During this time, Toney researched autism and wanted to learn more about the disease. He found out that there aren’t many resources to learn about the disease in eastern Oklahoma. That’s when he and his wife opened up their center which is located in Poteau.
The Pervasive Parenting Center provides resources for the area such as offering training and numerous events planned for children with disabilities, which includes the Sensitive Santa event.
Sensitive Santa allows kids with autism and other disabilities to create happy memories with their families and Santa Claus.
“We allow them a place to come in and wander around,” said Kodey Toney, PPC Director. “We let them get comfortable with Santa before they actually go up to him.”
On Tuesday (Dec.8) families and their children can go see Santa at Kibios Community Action Building in Stigler, Oklahoma. Sensitive Santa will also take place in Poteau on Wednesday (Dec.9) at the Community State Bank. And the event will be happening on Thursday (Dec.10) in Sallisaw at Carl Albert State College. All three locations start at 6:00 p.m.
Organizers said to only bring children that have disabilities.
