By Megan Alley
Sun Reporter
This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience of Halloween will look a lot different for many families.
To add some semblance of normalcy for families with immunocompromised children, Kings Island recently partnered with the A Kid Again organization to host a Tricks and Treats Fall Fest Adventure at the amusement park.
Working in Ohio, Indiana and Philadelphia, A Kid Again’s mission is to foster hope, happiness and healing for children with life-threatening health conditions and their families, according to a press release for the event. The organization offers these children consistent, year-round therapeutic activities that create meaningful shared experiences and joy-filled memories, and also provides support, peer-to-peer connections and other resources to help families cope with the challenges.
More than 600 A Kid Again families area were invited to take part in the event, which took place in the afternoon on Oct. 11.
“Families who have immunocompromised children are particularly at high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore, for many, a traditional Halloween Trick or Treat is out of the question,” read a press release for the event. “A Kid Again is working to ensure these families dealing with the effects of life-threatening conditions are able to make memories together by partnering with Kings Island to provide a safer alternative.”
Loveland residents David Fuhrman and Kathy Fuhrman took their daughters, Morgan Fuhrman, age 13, and Reagan Fuhrman, age 19, to the event.
Morgan Fuhrman has Roberts Syndrome. She is a seventh-grader at Thomas A. Wildey School in Batavia.
The Fuhrman’ son, Jordan Fuhrman, who also had Roberts Syndrome and was part of A Kid Again, died in 2009.
He was 15 years old.
In an email interview, Kathy explained that at the beginning of the pandemic, it was really hard for the family because she was furloughed, and they all had to do what we could to keep Morgan and Reagan safe.
“I was the only one leaving the house and that would only be to go to Kroger. I would don a mask with a coffee filter inserted every time – get home wash my hands and my clothes would go in the wash,” Kathy wrote. “Morgan didn’t leave the house for almost 3 months. It was hard for her not to see her friends at school or her nana.”
In a normal year, the Fuhrman family are regulars at Kings Island, but this year has not been normal.
“We usually spend countless days at Kings Island,” Kathy wrote. “Morgan loves the shows and atmosphere and it gets us out of the house.”
She added, “This year of course has been different. We are lucky we have passes so we try to go at least once a week, even if only a few hours.”
The Fuhrman family has been a part of the A Kid Again organization for about 15 years.
“One of our favorite part of the adventures is getting to see other families who are also going through a similar journey of doctors appointments and illnesses. It’s comforting feeling not so alone in a world full of people who sometimes doesn’t quite understand what you are going through,” Kathy explained. “Each and every one of these families deals with fear and sometimes the hopelessness of seeing their kid fight battles that sometimes can’t be overcome. It’s unbelievable how strong and courageous our kids are.”
At the Tricks and Treats Fall Fest Adventure, Morgan Fuhrman took home first place in the costume contest with her purple witch costume.
They family also enjoyed some of the event’s entertainment stations and got some chocolate, some Twizzlers, an apple and some fun bracelets.
“[Morgan] also had fun decorating a tiny pumpkin just her size with lots of fun stickers,” Kathy shared.
When asked what advice she would share with other families going through the pandemic under similar circumstances, she offered the following words.
“The best advice I can offer is you have to do what you feel is best for your child. Treasure them. Love them. Never give up hope … please be kind to others … because you just might never know what they are going through … oh and wash your hands and wear a mask while in public.”