This past February, Pat and Alie Tigges of Carroll sat down and penned a request to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Office that began with a simple conversation between the two of them.
Since beginning the processes to bring Kellan’s Kingdom to reality, Tigges says they started noticing more and more communities and organizations doing simple things to bring inclusive and accessible features to their parks. She then went online and looked up what it took to get a proclamation, sitting down and writing the request. She was notified last week, just in time to present this as the perfect Father’s Day gift to Pat, that their idea for a proclamation had been selected.
Raising awareness for accessibility and inclusiveness are the most important aspects of this special day.
Tigges says this is not just about those who have physical challenges.
The entire Tigges family will be traveling to the Iowa Capitol building on Friday, June 21 to meet Gov. Reynolds and to be present when July 1 is proclaimed Iowa’s Day of Inclusiveness. Tigges says that from that point on, they want to see their efforts grow. She says something needs to be done so that everybody, from the mom with the stroller to the grandma with the walker, can enjoy what is accessible to most everyone else. It can start with simple things, she adds. Like putting in a wheelchair accessible glider, a walking path that is wide enough for other conveyances beyond bikes or a swing that can be used by anyone. Both Pat and Alie have reached out to Iowa representatives on the state and federal level, hoping that they will be more voices supporting the idea that this is too important to not be at the forefront of all planning.
Tigges says they have been touched by the people of the area who, time and again, during fundraisers for Kellan’s Kingdom show their unwavering support. She is hoping that they will be able to get the Carroll mentality spread everywhere else. That the compassion, empathy and eagerness to help found here will easily be the impetus for understanding and action elsewhere.
