For special needs children, a visit with Santa can be a difficult and painful process. The Johnson City Mall has provided a way for special needs children with sensory issues to participate in this holiday tradition. For the last five years, the mall has held a “Sensitive Santa” event.

The “Sensitive Santa” event creates a safe and understanding environment for special needs children and their parents, allowing extra time for visits and focusing on making kids comfortable. One of the participants this year was one-year-old Olivia Andrews. Her mother, Susan, told Fox 21 News, “It’s really difficult for a child like Olivia to stand in line and to do what she’s supposed to do. The boundaries for children like Olivia are different.”

Olivia suffers from a little-known brain injury called Periventricular Leukomalacia. According to MedlinePlus, “Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a type of brain injury that affects infants. The condition involves the death of small areas of brain tissue around fluid-filled areas called ventricles. The damage creates ‘holes’ in the brain. ‘Leuko’ refers to the brain’s white matter and ‘periventricular’ refers to the area around the ventricles.”

The condition is more common in premature births and when the mother or fetus is unhealthy. It can be exacerbated by birth trauma or injury, specifically if a fetus is deprived of oxygen. Periventricular Leukomalacia often results in nervous system and developmental problems in growing. Minor cases of PVL have less of an effect, but more severe cases can result in a progression to more serious conditions like cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Thanks to the creators of “Sensitive Santa,’ children like Olivia have a way to participate in a holiday tradition that works for them. Brandi Woodall, Marketing Director for the Mall at Johnson City, said, “…it’s just a tremendous event… It’s just so much of a blessing for us to be a part of it… that I don’t think ‘Sensitive Santa’ will go away anytime soon.”

The event attracts more and more people every year, and is the only event of its kind in the area. We at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm are grateful for the efforts of the community to support special needs children and victims of brain injury.

If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation. Our experienced brain injury attorneys in Nashville, Gallatin and Knoxville can work with you to help get you the compensation you deserve. Contact Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today for a free consultation.