According to the Centers for Disease Control, Down Syndrome continues to be the most common chromosomal disorder with about 6,000 babies born with Down Syndrome each year in the U.S. But 4-year-old Harrison is too busy enjoying life to be bothered with statistics thanks to the WHAS Crusade for Children and the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass at the University of Kentucky.
In the two years that Harrison has been coming to the Center, his parents say they’ve seen marked improvement in his physical movements and his social skills, as well as his vocabulary.
Since 1999, the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass has received $79,000.00 in WHAS Crusade grants to help children like Harrison.
According to the American Stroke Association the risk of stroke for children is greatest in the first year of life and peaks during the weeks before birth. The Holland family knows all too well about those risks. Their son, Trenton showed early signs of stroke. But with continuing therapy and support from Visually-Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) and WHAS Crusade for Children, Trenton is overcoming sight and mobility issues.
VIPS Executive Director, Diane Nelson says that Crusade funding becomes more important each year to be able to help youngsters like Trenton. VIPS started by serving 7 children in Jefferson County in 1985. Today that number has grown to 700 in Kentucky and Indiana. Since 1985, VIPS has received more than $1.5 million in WHAS Crusade grants.
According to the American Stroke Association the risk of stroke for children is greatest in the first year of life and peaks during the weeks before birth. The Holland family knows all too well about those risks. Their son, Trenton showed early signs of stroke. But with continuing therapy and support from Visually-Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) and WHAS Crusade for Children, Trenton is overcoming sight and mobility issues.
VIPS Executive Director, Diane Nelson says that Crusade funding becomes more important each year to be able to help youngsters like Trenton. VIPS started by serving 7 children in Jefferson County in 1985. Today that number has grown to 700 in Kentucky and Indiana. Since 1985, VIPS has received more than $1.5 million in WHAS Crusade grants.
When we hear of a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum most of the time we think in terms of the child having problems socially but an autism diagnosis can mean physical issues as well. Eight-year-old Henrik’s family was told because of his physical limitations due to autism, he’d never be able to hold a crayon much less learn to write. With help from the WHAS Crusade for Children and Green Hill Therapy, Henrik is proving many predictions wrong.
For his developing writing skills Henrik has a lofty goal. He wants to write movie scripts for Disney. Since 2002, Green Hill Therapy has received more than $250,000 in Crusade grants to help children like Henrik.
At the birth of their son, Christian, the Wilson family was told he wouldn’t live more than a few hours. The family refused to give up hope. With the help of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and the WHAS Crusade for Children, the Wilson’s faced what they call the longest night of their lives.
In his time with the therapists at the Appalachian Regional Hospital in Harlan and now at the Hyden location, Christian has worked consistently to overcome the effects of cerebral palsy. The family is truly grateful for Christian’s continuing progress.
Since 2014 the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System has received $56,000 in Crusade grants to help youngsters like Christian.
The WHAS Crusade for Children annual variety show originates LIVE from The Kentucky Center’s Bomhard Theater. Each year, different genres of music are presented as people come together to make life better for children with special needs.
Michelle Sydnor & Friends sang the roof off The Kentucky Center with their rendition of Total Praise at the 65th WHAS Crusade for Children Variety Show.
This Letter to the Editor was published in the July 20, 2018 edition of The Courier-Journal. It was written by Brennen Lawrence, chair of the WHAS Crusade for Children board and CEO of Cuddle Clones.
It is an honor and privilege to be a part of the WHAS Crusade for Children for over 30 years, initially getting involved through the fire service. For the past nine years, I have served on the board of directors, acting as the chair for the last three years. My appreciation for the generosity of the people in Kentuckiana has grown tremendously during this time.
For 65 years, the annual phenomenon known as the Crusade has been an important part of this community. Once again in June, we all came together for the kids, making it possible to award 229 grants this year, totaling $5,675,000. We are proud to continue the tradition of returning 100 percent of the contributions to hospitals, schools, and agencies throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
The Crusade Advisory Panel is a group of interdenominational ministers (rabbis, priests, pastors and reverends) who determine the grant allocations each year. This year was especially difficult, with $14.9 million in requests.
This year, charitable gifts from the people of Kentuckiana will be visible through many worthwhile projects and programs serving children with special needs. Your donations will be allocated to:
• 137 agencies and programs serving children with special needs
• 47 school districts throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana
• 14 individual schools that are not part of a district
• 16 hospitals throughout the region
• 9 capital projects
• 6 universities for scholarships designated for special education teachers
This would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of firefighters, who remain the heart of the Crusade. This effort also includes so many children, parents, churches, synagogues, businesses and schools who have personally collected. It is humbling to see the depth and breadth of the grants that are possible this year due to such great compassion. As a result, many children who have special needs will get the help they deserve.
Thank you.
Brennen Lawrence
Chair
Board of Directors
WHAS Crusade for Children