On behalf of all the kids and families assisted by Variety, thank you so much for your generosity!
Variety’s Kids’ Appeal, featuring Josiah’s touching story, helped us raise over $15,000 so far!
Kids like Josiah urgently require access to specialised equipment such as walkers and programs to join in, be included and improve their overall quality of life.
You can make a difference in the lives of Aussie kids by donating today.
This is Josiah and his family's story.
Josiah is a cheeky music-loving 3-year-old from the rural town of Emerald who always puts a smile on everyone's face.
After trying to have a baby for a few years, his parents were so happy when they first discovered they were pregnant. A few weeks after their first ultrasound, they were told Josiah had Down syndrome.
Josiah was born two months premature and after his birth, his family's days were filled with unconditional love and smiles as they watched Josiah grow.
But unexpected and very high expenses were placing a toll on the family.
Expenses such as a specialised walker to develop and strengthen Josiah’s core and to help him walk. Renata and Ryan were desperate to improve Josiah’s quality of life and give him a fair go. Unfortunately, this walker was not funded by the government. That’s when they reached out to Variety.
With 1 in 13 Aussie kids living with a disability*, specialised equipment and inclusion programs are urgently needed across Queensland.
Thanks to supporters like you, Josiah received a Crocodile walker – an adjustable walker placed behind him to help with movement and balance. As Josiah’s mum Renata describes, the walker is making a massive difference in his life:
“ Josiah is making lovely improvements such as taking assisted steps, controlling his leg and arm movements, and strengthening his core and limbs. Receiving the Crocodile walker has genuinely impacted our daily life and allowed our son to be more independent and continue to develop into the strong, amazing guy that he is.”
As demand for our grants and programs is rapidly growing, I’m anxious it might not be possible to support every child like Josiah and their family who come to us for help.
Josiah’s mum Renata is also confident that Variety’s programs such as Just Like You will educate primary school students on what uniqueness is and make Queensland kids aware of how people with a disability are the same as everyone else.
Variety Just Like You builds empathy, understanding, acceptance and inclusion. The program is free, interactive and fun, and it's mapped against the Australian curriculum. And the program is possible because of you.
Unfortunately, this program is only available in a few schools. With the help of supporters like you, we could expand it to more areas across Queensland.
*Source: ABS 2015
