Special needs community has a blast at Point Mallard water park
Jun. 7—Michael Musacchia was pumped Friday after going down one of the giant slides at Point Mallard water park in Decatur.
He made the journey with one of his caretakers from the R&R Group Home. He was among well over 200 people who turned out for the second annual Special Needs Summer Celebration hosted by Decatur Fire & Rescue, said Lt. Brandon Sivley. Last year's event drew about 60, he said.
The event, which consisted of lunch and then water park fun, was from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. under clear skies and a scorching hot sun, though a rainstorm came through later in the afternoon.
Michael Wrangler, also a member of the group home, had his eye on the diving boards after having a good lunch.
"We're just here to have fun," he said. "We ate lunch with a mermaid, but I didn't get my picture with her."
Alexis Mason, a caretaker with R&R Group Home, said they were at Point Mallard Friday because it was a special day for special needs caretakers and clients.
"It was free admission to the park and free lunch," she said. "They offered hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, sodas and water."
Mason enjoys being caretaker.
"I love that they love me and they know the love I show for them is real," she said. "Some of them don't have their parents or anybody, so the caretakers are the people they look forward to seeing every day."
It takes a special person to be a caretaker, she said.
"It takes a lot of patience," said Mason, who has been a caretaker since 2022. "But with the right type of heart, you'll get it done. These are like your second kids. I treat them like my babies."
Decatur Fire & Rescue began the annual summer celebration after hearing that some of the special needs clients in the community didn't have enough activities to attend throughout the year, Sivley said. Firefighters made calls for sponsors and now the effort has grown into celebrations on Halloween, Christmas and summer, he said.
He thanked Point Mallard for allowing them to host the celebration.
Texas Roadhouse volunteered to cook 300 donated hamburgers and 120 donated hotdogs for the event. Walmart donated about $1,000 to cover the meals.
Other sponsors included Pepsi of Decatur, Hubbard & Drake and Gillespie Cabinets.
Sivley enjoys the annual event.
"I just like getting the handshakes and the hugs and the smiles — they are an awesome community."
— jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361
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Special needs community has a blast at Point Mallard water park
Jun. 7—Michael Musacchia was pumped Friday after going down one of the giant slides at Point Mallard water park in Decatur. He made the journey with one of his caretakers from the R&R Group Home. He was among well over 200 people who turned out for the second annual Special Needs Summer Celebration hosted by Decatur Fire & Rescue, said Lt. Brandon Sivley. Last year's event drew about 60, he said. The event, which consisted of lunch and then water park fun, was from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. under clear skies and a scorching hot sun, though a rainstorm came through later in the afternoon. Michael Wrangler, also a member of the group home, had his eye on the diving boards after having a good lunch. "We're just here to have fun," he said. "We ate lunch with a mermaid, but I didn't get my picture with her." Alexis Mason, a caretaker with R&R Group Home, said they were at Point Mallard Friday because it was a special day for special needs caretakers and clients. "It was free admission to the park and free lunch," she said. "They offered hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, sodas and water." Mason enjoys being caretaker. "I love that they love me and they know the love I show for them is real," she said. "Some of them don't have their parents or anybody, so the caretakers are the people they look forward to seeing every day." It takes a special person to be a caretaker, she said. "It takes a lot of patience," said Mason, who has been a caretaker since 2022. "But with the right type of heart, you'll get it done. These are like your second kids. I treat them like my babies." Decatur Fire & Rescue began the annual summer celebration after hearing that some of the special needs clients in the community didn't have enough activities to attend throughout the year, Sivley said. Firefighters made calls for sponsors and now the effort has grown into celebrations on Halloween, Christmas and summer, he said. He thanked Point Mallard for allowing them to host the celebration. Texas Roadhouse volunteered to cook 300 donated hamburgers and 120 donated hotdogs for the event. Walmart donated about $1,000 to cover the meals. Other sponsors included Pepsi of Decatur, Hubbard & Drake and Gillespie Cabinets. Sivley enjoys the annual event. "I just like getting the handshakes and the hugs and the smiles — they are an awesome community." — or 256-340-2361
