Cool events for everyone

Tanah Merah mum Tanya Dennis loves that her 21-year-old son is socialising, dancing, bowling and making new friends.

But the difference to many mums in the same situation is that her son Jaden has high-level disabilities, is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair.

The loving bond between the pair, and their shared determination for Jaden to build an interesting life for himself after he left school, resulted in the creation of an amazing community-based program in 2021 called MYCoolEVENTS.

The program coordinates regular events and outings for those with a disability to mingle and have fun in public spaces that are safe and controlled to meet their many needs.

Events include dances, drumming sessions, painting, free movies, writing e-books and disco ten-pin bowling. Participants attend with family members and/or support workers.

‘Having a high-level disability does not mean you have to miss out,’ is Jaden’s message on the program’s website. ‘Groove to your own beat, sing out loud, move the way you want. Be yourself. You are epic.’

Funded solely on donations andgrants, MYCoolEVENTS has grown to have up to 40 people attending recent events.

‘I am doing this through the eyes of my son by extending invitations to others like him who may want to be part of his world,’ Tanya says.

‘Our children are very fragile and too vulnerable to go to a lot of public spaces but by bringing them together in a safe space where every element has been considered and checked, allows them to have fun, connect with each other and make new friends.’

Division 10 Councillor Miriam Stemp says Tanya and Jaden have been inspirational in creating MYCoolEVENTS.

‘I always enjoy attending their events and seeing the joy on the faces of everyone involved,’ Cr Stemp says.

‘If you would like to find out more about MYCoolEVENTS, please reach out to Tanya.’

Photo at top: Cr Miriam Stemp (far right) with (from left) Jaden Dennis, his mum Tanya and friend and fellow MYCoolEVENTS organiser Gina Chapman.