|
|
|
What Goes Around Comes Around 
Do you recall the saying, "What goes around comes around"?
Well, on Saturday, March 13, Variety was reminded of the saying.
Variety was in the process of presenting Jake (to the left) and Kasey (to the right) with adaptive bicycles at Rave Yorktown in Houston to wrap-up Rave's 2010 Gold Hearts program.
Jake, from Houston, is 7 years old and has Fragile X Syndrome. In very basic terms, it's a type of Autism. Actually, he and his younger sister, who has the same condition, each had shirts on that said, "I'm not a brat. I have autism."
Kasey, from Spring, is 9 years old and was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
As Variety was instructing Jake's father, Toby, on how to properly adjust the bike to fit, and grow, with his son, he told us a little story.
- - - - - - - - -
It is necessary here to state a few things first:
 1) Toby is English (actually so is Jake). He and his family moved to the US about six years ago. 2) Variety the Children's Charity is known as the Variety Club in the UK.
Now, on with the story...
- - - - - - - - -
 Toby stated, "When I was in university, a group of us actually volunteered and helped run fundraising programs for Variety Club. "Gosh, it was 20+ (he may have said over 25, but who's counting) years ago. We were just doing it to help the kids in the country.
"I never dreamed that one day Variety...especially Variety in the US...would be helping me, and making it possible for my son to have something this special.
 "It just dawned on me that I've never seen him ride a bike before. It really is amazing." So, keep in mind..."What goes around comes around."
Photos of the presentations can be seen here. Special thank you to our wonderful volunteer photographers for the special presentation, Brent & Jen. |
|
Bringing Feld Entertainment to Kids Across the State of Texas The circus, ice capades and stage shows...staples in the memories of many of our childhoods.
Now, thanks to Variety, children across the state of Texas who would not have otherwise had the opportunity will be able to experience the thrills and chills of the "Greatest Show on Earth" and mix and mingle with Mickey and all his pals.
Variety will be partnering with groups across the state to ensure deserving children, and their families, get to see these live shows first hand.
From March to September of this year, Variety will be sending families to 20 shows in 14 cities across the state. Variety will be partnering with groups such as: Juvenile Diabetes in San Antonio, Mended Little Hearts in the Rio Grande Valley, Green Oaks School in Arlington and many others. More details, and pictures of families enjoying the fun, will be made available soon. |
|
How You Helped
In this section, you get to 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.
So, sit back, relax and enjoy hearing How You Helped Shelby and her mom, Angela. |
|
Using that Sucker All the Time 
Name: Shelby
Condition: Cerebral Palsy & Hydrocephalus
Location: Arlington
Supported In: Jan '08
Age at the Time: 13
Assistance: Wheelchair
Interviewee: Angela - Mom
Electric wheelchairs are great. For the child who uses it. But, what about the family that has to live with it?
We often forget, or do not know, how difficult it can be to actually live with a manual wheelchair.
For starters, you cannot lift it. You cannot just put it in the trunk of a car. Other people cannot take your child anywhere, because they may not know how to assist your child in using it. In fact, it will not even fit in certain houses.
So, in the perfect world, you need both. But, insurance won't cover both. Where do you turn?
For Angela...she turned to Variety:
---------------
· What challenges do you face, getting your child from place to place?
We had to buy a van with a chair lift. Whenever we go anywhere, we have to decide whether to take the electric or the push chair. As convenient as the electric chair is, it is also large and heavy. We have to consider if friends' houses are accessible. Are the doorways large enough? Are there stairs? Older homes often have narrower doorways. Shelby has to be carried through the door of her grandfather's home for that reason. The electric chair just won't fit.
· Tell us about how Variety helped your family, and how it is helping.
Variety gave Shelby a manual wheelchair which allows her to go places that her electric chair simply cannot go...
We use that sucker constantly.
To read the rest of Angela's interview, click here. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
How Do You Train A Dragon?
Variety and Studio Movie Grill and proud to announce the next screening as part of Special Needs Screening Series.
This Saturday, March 27, Variety will host a screening of How to Train a Dragon at Studio Movie Grill locations in Arlington, Houston's City Centre, Lewisville and Plano.
As always, the film will begin at 11am, and is only open to families raising children with special needs. Children ticket will be covered by Variety, and adults will pay their own way. |
|
Kermit Helps Out
Variety of Texas would like to thank the following venues for their support of actively requesting $2 donations from their patrons in exchange for a Variety Gold Heart.
- Cinemark - Available through April 29 nationwide
- Movie Tavern - Available until April 1nationwide
- Starplex Cinemas - Available until April 1 nationwide
- ShowBiz Cinemas - Completed with details coming soon.
- Rave Motion Pictures - Raised over $225,000 nationwide. More details on their successful campaign coming soon.
- More partners coming soon.
If you do not have your Kermit pin, do not fret. We will be selling them online very soon through Variety's website. |
| Correction
In last month's "How You Helped" section, we inadvertently made two mistakes on Lilah's information.
They were:
1) Condition was listed as "Traumatic Brain Injury", and should have been listed as "Strabismus & Amblyopiariety".
2) Assistance was listed as "Strabismus & Amblyopiariety", and should have been listed as "Vision Correction Surgery".
We apologize for the mistakes, and encourage you to read the letter that Lilah's mother wrote to Variety in its entirety. |
| Support Variety
 | |
