Aug 18, 2023 | Inclusive sports
On July 25, 2023, Variety KC hosted an adaptive and inclusive KC Current Soccer Clinic. This ALL ABILITIES soccer clinic welcomed 25 Variety KC athletes to the WORLD’S FIRST outdoor power soccer field at the Central Banking Sporting Complex. Alongside Variety KC athletes we had 25 wonderful volunteers who worked 1-on-1 to ensure each athlete’s success! This event would not have been possible without the support of KC Current’s Kristen Hamilton, who was the spokesperson for the clinic. Hamilton was an obvious choice for KC Current and Variety KC since she hails as the all-time leader for Championship game appearances. More importantly, however, she understands the barriers people with disabilities face every day through the eyes of her brother, Simon, who has Down Syndrome.
This ALL ABILITIES clinic was a part of the KC Current’s nomination for the Nationwide Community Impact Award, a league-wide civic initiative focused on teams’ community service and outreach. A public vote will be held in October which will determine the 2022 Nationwide Community Impact Award winner. The winning community partner will receive a $25,000 donation from Nationwide to further their organization’s mission.
Feb 24, 2022 | Inclusion, Inclusive sports
Joseph is diagnosed with Spina Bifida. His approach to health is to workout at Crossfit and stay as fit as possible. Working out gives him a sense of pride, a sense of community, and he builds endurance which drives him to be stronger.
To assist his workouts and mobility, a sports wheelchair is needed. It would allow him to pull weight on the sleds at Crossfit and be more mobile in general.
Variety KC partners loved his determination and proven work ethic, and through their donations – Joseph is getting the sports chair that will help his progress. So many kids and young adults could benefit from the flexibility of a sports chair. If this story speaks to your heart, help us to make this happen at www.varietykc.org/donate Thank you!
Apr 14, 2020 | Inclusion, Inclusive sports
Jason was born in China and abandoned by his mother due to her inability to provide proper medical care for his Spina Bifida. He was raised in a Chinese orphanage until the age of 9 when his loving KC family adopted him. He has been in the States for four years and his involvement in adaptive sports has been a huge part of his improved health and mental state. A proper fitting sports wheelchair will allow him to continue to participate in his favorite sport- basketball.
A note from his parents:
“As stated above, Jason was raised in China until the age of 9. The Chinese culture generally looks down on people with disabilities and until he came to the United States, he didn’t understand that he could be a functioning/ contributing member of society. He was overwhelmed the first time he saw kids his age playing sports and couldn’t wait to participate. Involvement in sports has really helped Jason’s health- both physically and mentally. However, Jason’s condition (Spina Bifida) and the location of his spinal anomaly, necessitates a specially fitted wheelchair to enable full participation in the sport. Jason’s mother and I have both been blessed with good jobs, however, the added costs of care for Jason along with the financial support of our missionary daughter in Uganda have tapped our resources and we are unable to purchase this specialized chair. We appreciate the work of Variety KC and Midwest Adaptive Sports and thank you for the consideration of our request.”
Can you imagine? For over half his life, Jason didn’t even know it was possible to play sports – and now, with the proper equipment, he will be living his best life! Please help Variety KC to make this a possibility for Jason – donate whatever you can to varietykc.org/donate/
Thank you from the bottom of our Variety Heart!
Oct 23, 2019 | Inclusion, Inclusive sports, Meet the Kids, Mobility
Jesus was born with Spina Bifida (Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them.)
But – his diagnosis doesn’t stop him! He loves all sports, loves to be active, and plays for the KC Kings (wheelchair basketball). In order to keep playing safely, Jesus needs a wheelchair designed specifically for the sport. A basketball wheelchair means inclusion, it means beneficially fitness opportunities, and it means being part of a team!
Variety KC donors look forward to seeing Jesus out on the court! Shouldn’t every child have a chance to get off the bench and into the game? Help us make that possible…donate today at VarietyKC.org/donate/
Thank you so much!
Oct 23, 2019 | Inclusion, Inclusive sports, Meet the Kids
Disability: Spina Bifida + Hydrocephalus
Caleb is one of nine children, so as you can guess – finances are very tough! Four years ago, he was lucky to get a used basketball wheelchair and he put it to very good use. But now, the safety straps keep breaking (not so safe) and since he doesn’t have replacement wheels, he has to use the wheels from his regular wheelchair – and they fall off! Plus, after four years, he has outgrown the chair itself.
His family doesn’t have the extra money to replace this chair and without it, Caleb will not be able to continue to play the sport that he loves and has played in since he was 7-years-old! His entire family wants this so badly for Caleb and has offered to volunteer for Variety KC to help back back the costs.
We love our Variety KC families – they have huge hearts! And so do our Variety KC donors! Caleb is getting his wheelchair because our supporters know how important activities are for physical health, and a sense of teamwork and independence. Help us to help other kids like Caleb – donate today at www.varietykc.org/donate/
Thank you!
Oct 18, 2019 | Inclusion, Inclusive sports, Meet the Kids
Disability: Spina Bifida + Hydrocephalus
Stephen “Kai Kai” Spina Bifida* is an up and coming basketball player and he isn’t going to let a diagnosis of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus stop him!
His mom explains that he is very active in playing wheelchair basketball and it would be extremely beneficial if he had his own chair so that he could practice at home and play outside of structured game times. He has participated in the basketball program for over a year now and that program is expanding. In the past, he has been able to borrow a wheelchair designed for the sport, but with the expanded play – it would be a great help if he had his own.
Variety KC donors know just how important it is for kids to keep physically active and how essential it is for them to be involved in team sports. Kai Kai is getting his wheelchair and we can’t wait to see what he can do! Please help other kids like Kai Kai by donating today at www.varietykc.org/donate/ Thank you!
*Spina Bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them.
