My Wingman is My Buddy hosts Aviano's first 'sensory-friendly film'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jessica Hines
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  With more than 6 months under its belt, "My Wingman is My Buddy" continues to be a driving force for emerging family-support groups that seek to provide opportunities for special-needs families.

Through the support of the Exceptional Family Member Program, MWMB will introduce its first "sensory-friendly film" event, March 1 at the base theater. The movie will offer special-needs families an opportunity to enjoy quality family time for free.

"A sensory [friendly] film is designed for children with special needs or motor skills delays, to be able to enjoy a movie in a theater the way most people are familiar with," said Staff Sgt. Kristie Kersch, MWMB coordinator.

"It's not different from a regular movie with the exception that the families are allowed to bring their own toys and snacks. The theater dims the lights so they are not completely off, and they turn the volume down as well and the kids have free reign in the theater to move about."

Kersch further explained how it can be a challenge to take any small child to a theater and sit through a two-hour movie without the child wanting to get up and move around or becoming scared from the loud noises. The challenges for special-needs children become more apparent when met with strict rules or unaware groups, which became the driving force for creating sensory-friendly films.

According to the website for the Autism Society, sensory-friendly films began when a mother took her 7-year-old daughter to a matinee hoping to avoid the crowds and give her daughter a chance to see her favorite characters on the big screen. Unfortunately, some movie-goers were disrupted by the young girl's clapping, jumping and excitement for the film and complained to staff.

Through a series of phone calls and connections, a national theater chain began hosting monthly sensory-friendly movies, which attracted families with special-needs children of all ages. The events gave families a safe and accommodating atmosphere without fear of negative reactions.

"Initially, I was looking to host another event for My Wingman is My Buddy and I suggested doing a movie at the community center," said Kersch. "Glen Romano, the EFMP coordinator for the base, and I did some research and a week later, I suggested we promote a sensory-film event."

After more research and planning, Kersch secured the base movie theater for the first event to give attendees a true cinematic experience.

"It's designed for families to come in, get together just like any other event. But with this, it is also open to the rest of the base and their small children, so they can come out and everybody can have somewhere to go to mingle and have fun while watching a movie," she said.

For the first event, Kersch decided upon a showing of "The Lion King" for movie-goers for its underlining message of courage and compassion.

"The feat of the Lion King is that he overcomes a struggle. Essentially, My Wingman is My Buddy is put into place for children to realize they can overcome their struggles," she said. "For me, it fit perfectly."

Ultimately, Kersch hopes to host one sensory-friendly film a quarter in addition to regular MWMB events.

"The families who come out are beyond grateful, they couldn't be happier," she said. "The program is only going to get better with the more participation we have."

For more information on sensory-friendly films, visit http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/events/sensory-friendly-films/. To sign up for Aviano's first sensory film event, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 632-5407.