Ellyn Gold and more than 150 other volunteers want Tucsonans to know that the upcoming Butterfly Gala is all about metamorphosis - attendance at the event will facilitate a healing transformation for local children with special needs and their families at a weeklong retreat this summer.
"One of the children whose family participated last year has autism, and he is at the lower-functioning end of the spectrum. His sister, who is typically developing, made a comment on the last day of the retreat. She said 'This is the best week of my life.'
"That really stuck with me, because I can only imagine that in her daily routine much of the attention is given to her brother, simply because she is more self-sufficient … her comment is what it is all about," said Gold, co-chairwoman of the signature annual fundraiser that will benefit Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK).
The locally based national nonprofit group is on a mission to enhance well-being, minimize suffering and facilitate healing for children with special needs and chronic, acute and life-limiting illnesses.
Since 2005 ITK has used integrative healing methods that address body, mind and spirit. Gold is a former teacher with a Ph.D. in early childhood development. She is also a certified instructor of infant massage. Gold said the holistic model of care recognizes not only the whole child, but the whole family and the entire community.
The approach incorporates complementary and alternative medicine - including energy therapies; art, music and dance therapies; and herbs, yoga, massage, meditation and biofeedback - with lifestyle and dietary components and Western medicine therapies such as physical and occupational therapies.
At ITK healing retreats, the model becomes tangible for families, caregivers and children with a range of developmental, emotional and physical disabilities and illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. Participants can choose to participate in a wide range of activities and workshops in acupuncture, equine therapy, shiatsu, Reiki, music therapy, play therapy, yoga, stress reduction, hypnotherapy, nutrition, breathing techniques and meditation.
Support groups designed for children with special needs and their caregivers and siblings are also available.
"Some statistics show that a child has a better chance of surviving cancer than the parents of a child with special needs have of staying together. A child with special needs is a demand on parents' resources - time, energy, not only physical and financial, but emotional - and it really takes a toll, so when a family comes to the retreat, the whole family is cared for," said Jamie Lakin Kelley, a licensed child social worker and registered play therapist supervisor who is co-chairing the Butterfly Gala with Gold.
The unique approach of simultaneously treating the child, family and community inspired Gold to become involved with ITK 18 months ago.
"The first thing that struck a chord with me is the fact that the whole family is provided with tools, support, kindness, love and information. The whole family is looked at as a family that has a disability: it is not just the child that has a disability. When you have a child with a disease or disability, the whole family is impacted, just as the whole community is impacted," Gold said.
Ultimately, the entire community - particularly volunteers, who range in age from 5 years to 90-plus - develops a deeper appreciation, understanding and tolerance for those who are different, according to Gold.
"We live in such a diverse world and this is a way we can really make a difference for people of different genders, races, religions and health issues," she said.
If You Go
What: Integrative Touch for Kids' Butterfly Gala 2012
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Skyline Country Club, 5200 E. Saint Andrews Drive
Cost: $125 per person
Etc.: Festivities include dinner, dancing and a silent auction with live entertainment by House of Stone, as well as a gelato cart by Frost and a coffee cart by Common Grounds Espresso. "Top Flight" silent auction items will include an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Rainy Pass Lodge in Alaska and vacation packages to Telluride, Lake Tahoe and Sedona as well as a Joesler Village shopping package and other prizes. Guests can also participate in a Diamond Dive for $25 per ticket; prizes include a 1.5-carat diamond necklace from Stewart Kuper Jewelers and a $100 gift certificate for the Beth Friedman Collection.
Proceeds benefit the ITK Healing Retreat that will be held from July 8 to 14 at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort.
Tickets and info: Go to www.integrativetouch.org or call 303-4992
Contact Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net