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Going Faster 
9 year old Garrett Shackelford came to the Rave Motion Pictures theatre at Ridgmar Mall on Friday, January 22 with his mother, Tania. They were there for one thing...to encourage the staff at the theatre to raise as much money as possible for Variety using this year's Gold Heart Pin as the primary vehicle.
What they didn't know was life as Garrett knew it was about to change. Instead of encouraging the staff with his words, he was actually going to be showing the staff exactly where the money Variety raises goes...kids like him.
See, Variety had a surprise in store for Garrett, and it was much more than a great gift package from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (which he also got).
Garrett, who is a triple amputee due to an early childhood case of meningitis, got a new wheelchair.
While photos and an extended video of the presentation will be available very soon, Fox 4 News in Dallas didn't wait to share the story. In fact, what was supposed to be a very brief story on the 5 o'clock news tuned into an extended story at 5, 9, and 10 (along with a lead-in to the 10).
If you haven't seen it yet, you don't know what you're missing.
NOTE: More photos and a full video of the presentation will be available very soon. |
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A Raffle A Month for the Kids 
What does $10 get you?
- Not much.
What does $10 get a family of four raising a special needs child?
- Free admission to a Special Needs Movie Screening for the special needs child and his/her sibling.
That's right, for just $10 you can sponsor a special needs child and his/her sibling to attend one of Variety's very popular Special Needs Screenings.
And now, thanks to AMC, Cinemark, Regal Theatres and Studio Movie Grill; you can support a child seeing a film while having a chance to see one yourself.
Starting in February, donors making a $10 gift in support of Variety's Special Needs Screenings will be eligible to win a set of tickets to one of these four great theatre chains. At the end of each month, Variety will draw four names, each of which will receive a free set of tickets.
Support a family today for your chance at a set of free tickets! |
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How You Helped
Variety is pleased to welcome this new section to our electronic newsletter.
In this section, you will hear directly from the parent of a child that Variety has supported. They will tell you about their child, his/her condition and about how Variety's (i.e. YOUR) support has helped their family. The piece will be in a Q&A format with one or two questions highlighted and a direct link to the entire interview.
So, for now...sit back, relax and enjoy hearing How You Helped Camryn and her mom, Darcy. |
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Grateful for the Time Given 
Name: Camryn
Condition: Traumatic Brain Injury
Location: Irving
Supported In: Dec '08
Age at the Time: 3
Assistance: Multi-Adjustable Seating System
Interviewee: Darcy - Mom
· How do you think your life is different from that of a parent without a disabled child?
I struggle with emotions of "missing" her all the time. It's like I have a different child now. I'm blessed to be aware of how life is temporary and am grateful for time with her...It's more difficult to leave the house, to get her in and out of the vehicle...
· It seems really frustrating, not to be able to do or provide everything you want your child to have. What emotions have you dealt with and how do you handle them?
Guilt - I lack energy and time. I don't take it out on her and just try to show her I love her in the time we do have together.
Fear - I had no clue how to provide things for her, immediately after her accident. The social worker at her daycare, and other parents of disabled children, suggested I contact Variety for help...
To read the rest of Darcy's interview, click here. | |
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If you haven't already done so, make sure you join the Variety of Texas Facebook Group. Doing so by January 31 will automatically enter you into a drawing to win a set of 4 tickets to a Regal theatre of your choice (4 sets being given away).
You'll also be one of the first to find out about exciting happenings with Variety.
So, join today! |
A Special Thanks
Variety would like to thank the following, and all the individuals associated with these groups...you know who you are...for making Garrett's new chair possible:
- Jody Dean and 98.7 KLUV - without his discussion of Variety on his show, Garrett's teacher would not have known to call us.
- Rehab Specialties - one of Variety's durable goods vendors, and a Variety sponsor, who worked tirelessly to find the right chair.
- Grant Thornton, LLP - whose employees raised funds through their Jeans Month which allowed for modifications to Garrett's chair for a true custom fit.
- Eye Catch Design - whose photography and videography helped capture the entire day.
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