The Impact Doubled for Brayden & Brooke!

On Monday, January 27th, Variety presented adaptive equipment in Erie, and what a day it was!

6-year old Brayden received a communication device AND a bike, and you have to read what his mom shared…

“Brayden is nonverbal, so he doesn’t speak, so this device is going to really help him. And it’s just, it gets tough because I’m a single mom at home, I have limited income and I have another child who’s high functioning autistic. She speaks and everything, but she’s just having some trouble with emotions and dealing with others.

And so we just take one day at a time, but he’s just – all of these kids with special needs are such blessings, but it’s hard, it’s really hard sometimes. And you just want to make it as normal for them as possible, because they have enough challenges, so you just want to give them love and help them communicate as best they can. So I’m very thankful.”

Earlier that day, Variety held a Press Conference with City of Erie Mayor Joseph Schember, Saint Vincent Hospital CEO Dr. Christopher Clark, representatives from Intermediate Unit 5, Barber National Institute, and others from the Northwestern corner of Pa. to make a big push to identify every eligible child who could benefit from their own communication device.

Variety is striving to make a big push for identification due to a recent grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development to provide nearly 1,000 communication devices to eligible kids, and we want to ensure that every eligible child in Northwestern Pa. is aware of the program!

The star of the Press Conference was 10-year old Brooke.

She also received a new PINK bike AND communication device. To demonstrate the impact of the communication device, Brooke used it (with help of her SLP) to tell everyone in attendance about her excitement for the bike, saying, “I can’t wait to ride my bike! I want to bring it to Waterford Elementary to show my friends. I can’t wait to use my water bottle! I want to race my cousins. I’m SO excited to get my new PINK BIKE!”

Altogether on Monday, Variety presented 20 communication devices, 7 adaptive bikes, and 3 adaptive strollers to local children with disabilities (worth $41,100).

Additionally, we received great media coverage to help you share in the joy.

• YourErie:  https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/local-group-looks-to-give-1000-communication-devices-to-children-who-are-non-verbal-or-have-communication-disorders/
• GoErie:  https://www.goerie.com/lifestyle/20200127/waterford-girl-gets-new-speech-tablet
• Erie News Now:  https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/41616878/life-changing-communication-devices-for-kids
• The Corry Journal: Click here to read the article.

Thanks so much for sharing in the joy of our kids and families.