ACTIVITY FOR ALL ABILITIES If you follow my column regularly, you know that every May I put the Mom back in Mom’s Little Black Book and try and do something on my own bucket list. This year I was gearing up for something really adventurous but those darn kids of mine are always getting sports injuries. I had one in a boot and one on crutches; so, if you can’t walk, run, climb, or jump – that leaves only one thing – flying!
So I called iFLY in Naperville and they said as long as they didn’t have a hard cast on, we were good to go! Yahoo! We can still have fun even on crutches! While yes, there are some restrictions, they welcome all flyers of all abilities, ages 3 to 103, as long as you have reasonable health and fitness. iFLY even has special All Abilities Night that make the dream of flight a reality for those with special needs and differently-abled communities. This program has been custom-designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an environment of support and inclusion, while focusing on making what seems impossible, possible.
As my three teens waited their turn to enter the flight tunnel, they were like little kids again – giggling, smirking, sitting on their hands, changing the order of who will go first, and eagerly anticipating the excitement of what was to come. We sat through a brief educational session just prior and learned how to form our bodies to fly easily and safely. We also learned simple hand singles to communicate easily with our instructor to ensure a smooth flight. With smiles ear to ear, each teen took flight and successfully stayed above the surface earning the rite of passage for a high flight experience that soared them to the top of the flight tower. It was positively entertaining watching each person gain confidence and leave feeling so accomplished. After all, it’s not every day you fly!
So remember, if you have someone in your life that is unable to participate in able-bodied activities but still wants to be challenged and push their limits, this is the perfect event to join. -Kristen Kucharski
Overview iFLY is the experiential entertainment company that created modern indoor skydiving, making the dream of flight a reality by giving customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment.
iFly 1752 Freedom Drive,Naperville (779) 216-4546 www.iFlyWorld.com
Hours: M-Th 12pm-8pm, Fri 10am-10pm, Sat 9am- 10pm, Sun 9am-8:30pm.
Price $: Pricing starts
ABOUT THE WRITER Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She is married and has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen’s column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, is a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy.
