80 Stories, 80 Days: Putting a Groove in Their Steps

This heartwarming story is a part of our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign. For every story we collect through this campaign, Unique Connect will make a donation directly to our organization, so please submit your story now.   

From Sara Hart:

I have been a Variety volunteer for over two years. Last year, I became more involved with the Variety Show’s talent search. As a result, I was invited on stage for the show’s finale and was paired up with a Variety child. The final number featured Drew Six singing his original song, “We Choose Livin'”, and the whole cast sang along and danced behind Drew. The boy that I was paired up with was hesitant about dancing and barely moved to the beat during rehearsal despite my coaxing. When it came time for the real thing, though, he finally caved in, started clapping and swaying along, and had a big smile on his face doing it. After the show, his mom found me and told me he hadn’t stopped talking about his “dance partner” and wanted to dance again.

During those 2.5 minutes, our Variety kids became the stars of the show. They danced, they smiled and they sang along. I may have helped put a smile on that child’s face but that memory will stay with me forever. These kids face challenges every day, and Variety makes it easier (and more fun) for them — putting smiles on their faces and maybe even a groove in their step.

Variety children and volunteers starring in the grand finale of the 2013 Variety Show

Through our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign, we are asking all of you who have been touched by our organization in any way to share your story and help us gain more support for Kansas City children with developmental disabilities.

Unique Connect will donate directly to us for every story we collect through this campaign, so please submit your story now.  

Looking for another way to support Variety? Get your tickets for our biggest fundraiser of the year – the 2014 Variety Show starring Sinbad.

 

80 Stories, 80 Days: Speaking (and Singing) for Children with Disabilities

This beautiful story is a part of our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign. For every story we collect through this campaign, Unique Connect will make a donation directly to our organization, so please submit your story now.   

From Danielle Coulter:

My most fun memory about Variety is when I helped write and sing the Variety song with Drew Six, because I love when we show people what disabled kids really feel like inside. I really love helping speak their message, when they can’t do it by themselves.

Variety kid, Danielle Coulter, backstage with Drew Six at the 2013 Variety Show

Through our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign, we are asking all of you who have been touched by our organization in any way to share your story and help us gain more support for Kansas City children with developmental disabilities.

Unique Connect will donate directly to us for every story we collect through this campaign, so please submit your story now.  

Looking for another way to support Variety? Get your tickets for our biggest fundraiser of the year – the 2014 Variety Show starring Sinbad.

80 Stories, 80 Days: The Pinter Family Blessing

This beautiful story is a part of our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign. For every story we collect through this campaign, Unique Connect will donate directly to our organization, so please submit your story now.  

Written by Kara Pinter:Blessed … the word that best describes our family. On June 8, 2007 we welcomed our third child into our family. Bryce arrived three weeks earlier than expected. He was quickly taken to the NICU. During his days in the NICU, doctors began to suspect that he had a form of skeletal dysplasia. The months following his birth were filled with many doctor’s appointments, question, and waves of emotions. We received Bryce’s “official” diagnosis of achondroplasia a few months after his birth.

Being a parent of a child with special needs was new to us. Along with the excitement of this precious new life, was the presence of numerous stressors: Dr. appointment’s, developmental delays, unanswered questions, therapy, trying to maintain some form of medical management, etc. We realized quickly that at times our journey was exhausting, and lonely.

As Bryce got older, one thing was apparent….he was a kid like every other kid. He just did things a little differently. Bryce REALLY wanted to ride a bike. We tried every solution we could think of to get a bike to “fit.” Bryce’s school suggested we contact Variety Children’s Charity. We did, and what we were met with was so much more than an organization that provides mobility equipment (although that is WONDERFUL). We were met with this incredible compassion and excitement about Bryce and his life.

Bryce was gifted a bike through Variety. What a blessing it has been. He loves being just like the other kids. We want you to know that this gift has been so much more than a bike, this gift has been a piece of hope. Hope in the form of compassion, encouragement, friendships and a sincere excitement about the lives of all Variety kids. When Variety enters the life of a family their journey is a little lighter. The gift of mobility is precious; the gift of hope is priceless.

We are all so very grateful! THANK you for investing in Bryce’s life. You have left footprints that will be foundational to his entire life. What a joy it has been to be a part of this tremendous organization. The Pinter’s, along with so many families, have been blessed by both the gifts and the hope that Variety so graciously gives.

With grateful hearts,

The Pinter Family

Through our 80 Stories, 80 Days campaign, we are asking all of you who have been touched by our organization in any way to share your story and help us gain more support for Kansas City children with developmental disabilities.

Unique Connect will donate directly to us for every story we collect through this campaign, so please submit your story now.  

Looking for another way to support Variety? Get your tickets to our biggest fundraiser of the year  the 2014 Variety Show starring Sinbad.