‘Special needs’ focus of Family Day event
Rapper and mayor host community celebration offering fun activities
Rapper and philanthropist Trae tha Truth, Mayor Sylvester Turner and more than 1,200 people came out Saturday for the inaugural “Special Needs” Family Day event at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
“I know it’s the first time (Trae tha Truth) has done it, and I’m impressed,” said Harold Gaines, who came with his 23-year-old son, Jaylon, who has autism. “I’m glad to see somebody doing something for autistic kids.”
DJs, barbers, nail technicians, jewelers, superheroes and Jojo’s Raceway, an inflatable racetrack rental company, provided fun opportunities and activities for families with special needs children.
“Today is for y’all,” Trae tha Truth said.
Trae tha Truth’s connection to the special needs community is personal because of his 19year-old son, D’Neeko, being born with a chromosome 13 abnormality. The diagnosis caused developmental delay, intellectual disability, low birth weight and physical abnormalities.
“I’m glad to see somebody doing something for autistic kids.” Harold Gaines, who came to the “Special Needs” Family Day with his son Jaylon
“I always try to find different things I can do with my son, Neeko, and just knowing the love and compassion we have for him, I felt there were a bunch of other families that deal with the same thing. But they don’t actually have the resources or the people to embrace them,” Trae tha Truth said. “I felt this was important because not only is this a day to celebrate them, but they’re able to see other people with special needs.”
D’Neeko’s condition influenced Trae tha Truth to organize U’Neek & Gifted, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at providing disability resources, advocacy and support to those living with special needs and unique circumstances.
“Coming up, you would think of autism and maybe one or two other things, but it’s so many different ways that people are impacted,” Trae tha Truth said. “This is dedicated specifically to them.”
Turner proclaimed Dec. 3, 2022, as U’Neek & Gifted Day in Houston.
“It’s just a very good day, and quite frankly for the people with disabilities, they should feel this way every day,” the mayor said.
Turner urged Houstonians to not treat special needs individuals as “second-class citizens” because they aren’t “less than.”
“There are a lot of people in our city and in the surrounding region that have special needs,” Turner said. “You want people to feel a part of and have services be accessible. That’s what we want to do, and we have to work on that every day.”