CARNIVAL DELIGHTS DISABLED CHILDREN : SIMI GROUPS TAKE STUDENTS FOR FUN RIDES.Byline: Ann-Marie Sanchez Daily News Staff Writer Four-year-old Frankie Greico had only one mission as he plowed through the dusty lot of the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Days Carnival early Friday morning: conquer the rides. Stopping barely long enough to meet his escorts and receive a free baseball cap, Frankie pushed his way into the hearts and carts of carnival operators and community volunteers during a private two-hour romp for special-education children in the Simi Valley Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. . ``He's a carnival warrior,'' said Sharon Butler, a member of the Parent Teacher Association. ``He knew exactly what he wanted, and we're just following him.'' The Go Gator roller coaster, the Ferris wheel Ferris wheel, amusement park ride. It consists of a power-operated wheel that is about 50 ft (15 m) in diameter. It has two rims that are parallel to and equidistant from the shaft about which the wheel rotates. and the ladybug ladybug or ladybird beetle Any of the approximately 5,000 widely distributed beetles of the family Coccinellidae. The name originated in the Middle Ages, when the beetle was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and called “beetle of Our Lady. cart ride were just a few of the adventures Frankie pointed out to show his choices for fun-wheeling. ``Rides, more rides,'' Frankie announced to his escorts: Butler, Sheila Russo and Russo's 5-year-old daughter Hailey. Like Frankie, more than 50 children with disabilities ranging from muscular dystrophy muscular dystrophy (dĭs`trōfē), any of several inherited diseases characterized by progressive wasting of the skeletal muscles. There are five main forms of the disease. to Down syndrome Down syndrome, congenital disorder characterized by mild to severe mental retardation, slow physical development, and characteristic physical features. Down syndrome affects about 1 in every 730 live births and occurs in all populations equally. rode the roller coaster, slipped through the fun house or threw balls for a prize at the annual event. Chairwoman Ovedia Santos said the event offers a chance for special-education students to have a boisterous jaunt with lots of assistance and no waiting in lines. Volunteers from Countrywide Funding, the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, PTA PTA or parent-teacher association: see parent education. and other community groups spent the day lifting, holding and escorting the students coming from schools such as Garden Grove Elementary and Royal High. ``It's wonderful. First of all, you don't have to fight the crowds, and everybody is catering to them,'' said Garden Grove teacher Mona Beller. ``And everybody who is here - it's coming from their heart.'' A nod, a smile and a subtle shrug of the shoulders were all Junior Miss Simi Valley Malia Kim, a volunteer, needed to know 3-year-old Nicole Farrrington was having a great time. The pair shared the day riding inside a purple ladybug and holding hands in the roller coaster. ``I think it's really fun. I was really waiting for this day because I did it last year,'' said Kim, 11, wearing her shimmering shim·mer intr.v. shim·mered, shim·mer·ing, shim·mers 1. To shine with a subdued flickering light. See Synonyms at flash. 2. tiara and pushing Nicole in a stroller. ``I like the children, and I like to see her laugh.'' Carnival worker Eddie Murillo offered to take Frankie, who uses a walker to get about, on the fun house slide after the boy pointed to the twirling Twirling is any of several artforms, hobbies, or sport and recreational activities accomplished by spinning or rotating the twirled object either for exercise, or in a rhythmic, or otherwise artful manner. escape route high above. Murillo whooshed down the shiny slide with the wide-eyed boy in his lap. ``This is a special day for these little kids that I look forward to every year,'' said Murillo, 30. Dave Taylor watched his 6-year-old daughter, Lindsay, ride a white pony named Bones. ``Lindsay is having a great time, and it's a really nice thing the community has done for the kids,'' said Taylor. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--color) Junior Miss Simi Valley Malia Kim hold s ebullient Nicole Farrrington, 3, on the carousel Friday during a special preview of the carnival that will operate during Simi Valley Days. (2--color) Children and volunteers ride the roller coaster Friday during a carnival preview for special-education students in Simi Valley. Bob Halvorsen/Daily News |
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