Special Needs Prom

They arrived in rented tuxes, suits and gowns, giggling nervously as they filed in, looking around for friends or their dates. Moms pinned on boutonnieres and snapped photos. Boys mugged and girls grinned for prom portraits. Nearly 100 people danced in groups to the “Electric Slide” and “Locomotion,” and slurped up strawberries dipped in a chocolate fountain.

In many ways, the second annual Specialized Needs Recreation prom looked like any other prom, though many participants were well past high school age. A prom for teens and adults with disabilities was the brainchild of teen volunteer Aliah Lynn, 16. She and a handful of teen volunteers did most of the work to decorate the Prairie View Elementary cafeteria, set up refreshments and solicit donations.

“A lot of participants in our activities never got to go to their prom,” said Angie Goucher. She is the director of Specialized Needs Recreation, which is sponsored by the cities of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum, as well as the United Way and other grants and fundraisers. “They never got to go to a formal event, go out to dinner, ride in a limo.”

Lynn and several other volunteers took a group out for dinner at Denny’s and for a limo ride before the prom.

A cake from Albertsons, flowers for the prom king and queen from Post Falls Floral, and many volunteer hours contributed to the event. SNR also runs summer camps and monthly activities for developmentally and physically disabled people.

“It’s highly anticipated by our participants and they talk about it for months before, and I’m sure, months afterward. It will definitely be an annual event.

“Everyone had a great time, and they all looked so great,” said Goucher.