Sensitive Santa is shown at the Meadows mall on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. Santa greets special-needs children before the mall opens to avoid potentially stressful crowds.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 | 2 a.m.
Ten-year-old Derek McGroarty happily trotted down the carpet at Meadows mall to see the bearded man wearing a ruby red velvet suit and hat with white trim.
Santa Claus waited for him in a giant green armchair, perfectly sized for extra company. When Derek approached, Santa whisked him onto his right knee and spoke softly to his visitor. A grin spread across the youngster’s face — capturing the magic of the moment. A camera clicked in the distance.
This was only Derek’s second time visiting jolly old Saint Nicholas. Derek, a smiling boy full of energy, has nonverbal autism. “He doesn’t like loud noises or lots of people,” his mother, Katy McGroarty, explained.
Derek’s request: a toy train.
For many years, visiting Santa — a rite of passage for many children — seemed out of the question for him. But last year McGroarty heard about an event designed for children with special needs. For the past five years, Meadows mall has asked Santa to arrive an hour or two before stores open on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, giving these children a less-intimidating environment to deliver their wish lists.
The tradition started after a parent whose child has autism made the request. Other malls across the country were hosting similar events, the parent said, so Las Vegas ought to do the same. Managers at Meadows mall agreed.
“Christmas has become synonymous with the excitement and the bells and the whistles,” said Christopher White, general manager of the mall located off U.S. 95 and Valley View Boulevard. “And to some children, that’s too much.”
Seven-year-old Tuesday Swanson is one of those children. Wearing a red dress speckled with images of Scottish terriers, she reached up to hug Santa goodbye after asking for the “Frozen” movie. On her way out, Tuesday, who has Down syndrome and heart problems, used sign language to say, “I love Santa.”
Tuesday’s parents have brought her to the event four years in a row because, like Derek, the traditional Santa settings are too overwhelming. She would otherwise completely retreat, her mother, Theresa Swanson, said.
“Honestly, she thinks this Santa is hers,” Swanson said.
Each year, about 30 to 40 children visit Santa during the special visitation hours. Many come back year after year, White said.
As for Derek, the magic didn’t end after visiting Santa. After his parents purchased a keepsake photo, the mall’s miniature train arrived, ready to give Derek, his older sister and parents a ride. Derek hopped aboard, his smile growing even wider.
“It’s a wonderful experience,” McGroarty said. “I’m happy they do it.”
Jackie Valley can be reached at 702-948-7813 or [email protected]. Follow Jackie Valley on Twitter at twitter.com/jackievalley.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy