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Having a special needs child means changes to everyday activities. Even some things that seem simple, such as a trip to the grocery store, can be extremely difficult.That’s why Variety KC, a nonprofit that helps people with physical challenges get the tools they need to succeed, was giving away a special gift on Wednesday.The Shay family bought a new van, with Variety KC and other donors making sure that the van was completely assessible.”It’s going to give her freedom,” Brieanna Shay said.The project cost more than $16,000.”It’s pretty amazing how great people are,” Nathan Shay said.The van is also about more than transportation. For 9-year-old Emma, it is about mobility.”It was just getting harder for them to lift her physically out of her wheelchair and into their family vehicle,” said Ryan Green, of United Access.”And especially if it’s raining, if it’s snowing, if it’s icy,” Brieanna Shay said.The family said it is more than helping Emma, it is about helping the entire family. It used to be when they went somewhere, they would have to take two different cars. Now, they can all travel together safely.”To be able to do things with her siblings and go to her doctors’ appointments and her therapy,” Brianna Shay said.”Any family that has a child with special needs, it’s very, very expensive. It’s four times more expensive than an able-bodied child,” said Debra Wiebrecht, of Variety KC.”It’s going to be amazing for the whole family,” Brieanna Shay said.
Having a special needs child means changes to everyday activities. Even some things that seem simple, such as a trip to the grocery store, can be extremely difficult.
That’s why Variety KC, a nonprofit that helps people with physical challenges get the tools they need to succeed, was giving away a special gift on Wednesday.
The Shay family bought a new van, with Variety KC and other donors making sure that the van was completely assessible.
“It’s going to give her freedom,” Brieanna Shay said.
The project cost more than $16,000.
“It’s pretty amazing how great people are,” Nathan Shay said.
The van is also about more than transportation. For 9-year-old Emma, it is about mobility.
“It was just getting harder for them to lift her physically out of her wheelchair and into their family vehicle,” said Ryan Green, of United Access.
“And especially if it’s raining, if it’s snowing, if it’s icy,” Brieanna Shay said.
The family said it is more than helping Emma, it is about helping the entire family. It used to be when they went somewhere, they would have to take two different cars. Now, they can all travel together safely.
“To be able to do things with her siblings and go to her doctors’ appointments and her therapy,” Brianna Shay said.
“Any family that has a child with special needs, it’s very, very expensive. It’s four times more expensive than an able-bodied child,” said Debra Wiebrecht, of Variety KC.
“It’s going to be amazing for the whole family,” Brieanna Shay said.