There’s no stopping them (or us)
Kids on the Go! It’s the heart and soul of Variety – and it’s our major initiative. This dynamic program provides wheelchairs and other enabling equipment, assistive technology devices and communication systems for children with mental and physical disabilities and other major health challenges.
Since 1996, our Kids on the Go! Program has been a life-changing resource for families who are unable to obtain equipment through their insurance carriers, government agencies and school districts. It has literally empowered hundreds of lives.
Through the program, kids with disabilities can more easily, safely and independently participate in community programs and activities. This involvement is priceless. Today, Sara can shoot hoops. Angelina can ride bikes with her friends. Jonathan can play to his heart’s content. Nothing beats the sight of a Variety kid on the go.
For general questions on how our Kids on the Go! Program works; please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.
To apply for funding through our Kids on the Go! Program, please submit the following documents:
- Completed Kids on the Go! Application
- Letter of Medical Necessity from your child’s physical therapist, neurologist, PCp, social worker, etc
- Minimum of 2 bids from local vendors – please see our Medical Equipment Vendors List for help in selecting an appropriate vendor.
- Completed Addendum for the equipment being requested.
If you have any questions about our Kids on the Go! Program, please contact Sandra Thompson at (412) 747-2680 or via e-mail at sandra@varietypittsburgh.org.
Need additional Assistance with Equipment Funding?
The Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF) is a non-profit organization that provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities and older adults so that they can buy the assistive technology devices and services they need.
Assistive technology devices may include items such as:
- adapted vehicles
- home modifications (including ramps, roll-in showers, lowered counter tops)
- computers with special software and/or hardware
- hearing aids
- flashing doorbells
- scooters and wheelchairs
- seat lift chairs
- closed circuit televisions (CCTVs)
To see the difference Variety can make in a child’s life, click here for our Kids on the Go! success stories!
At Variety the Children’s Charity, we stand in awe of these courageous young people. And for eight decades, it’s been our privilege to help many get to where they want to go.
Their stories are a powerful reminder. To let nothing stop you. And to let nothing keep you down.
Angelina loves to ride. She peddles around the neighborhood with her friends. She tours the park with her Mom and Dad.
There is no physical challenge that gets in the way of Angelina having fun.
Angelina is a happy, outgoing 10-year old with cerebral palsy from a premature birth. Because of her poor muscle strength, Angelina is unable to ride a regular bicycle. She is one of Variety’s kids.
Variety provided Angelina with an adaptive tricycle with a handbrake, seatbelts and foot straps. With this specialized tricycle, she can balance herself properly and ride a bike just like other kids her age.
Angelina is an inspiration to all who meet her. We suspect even Lance would be in awe.
Sara will never walk. But she dominates the hard court. And has the points per game to prove it.
Sara is a gifted 18-year-old who has transverse myelitis, a rate neurological disorder. In spite of her challenges – which limit sensation and function below the waist – Sara is extremely athletic. She is one of Variety’s kids.
Variety was able to provide a concrete wheelchair house ramp for Sara. Now, she can more easily and independently get in and out of her family home. The ramp also makes it possible for Sara to high tail it to hoops games.
Sara’s love of sports is unrivaled. She rock climbs, water skis and does karate. She also plays tennis and ice hockey and is currently taking body-building classes.
Sara has it – that special something that sets certain athletes apart. And we celebrate her star power.
This is my playhouse
Wow, does Jonathan love to play. His bedroom is home to all of his favorite toys. And on most days, you’ll find him knee deep in green and yellow tractors and puzzles of all shapes and sizes.
Jonathan is a 3-year-old who has Pelizaeus Merzbacher disease, an extremely rare muscular disorder. His excessive muscle tone makes it extremely difficult for him to walk and talk. It also makes him extremely heavy to carry. He is one of Variety’s kids.
Variety provided Jonathan with a stair lift that enables him to get to his bedroom without having to be carried. This gives Jonathan the freedom to move about on his own. And takes a load off his parents, since they no longer have to carry him up and down the stairs.
Jonathan is not only super smart, he has and ornery streak. And likes to see what he can get away with. Every day, he reminds us of how important it is to take the time to laugh – and play.
Madison has a vivid imagination. And every Halloween, she lets her mind wander – and work its unique magic.
With her Mom’s help, Madison is able to convert her wheelchair into something different. One of Madison’s all-time favorites was the year she was Cinderella, and her wheelchair was a magical coach.
Madison is a colorful and spirited 13-year-old with cerebral palsy and seizure disorder. She is one of Variety’s kids.
Variety provided her with a mechanical life that “raises her up” into the family van without having to take Madison out of her wheelchair.
For Madison’s Mom, the lift means less backaches and easier transport to school, family outings and places in the community.
For Madison, the lift assures more Happy Halloweens.
Danielle is a girl on the go. She’s one of the most determined kids you’ll ever meet – hardworking and turbo-charged.
Danielle’s favorite place to zoom off to is school. Followed closely thereafter by Grandma’s house and the mall.
Danielle is a non-stop 7-year-old with carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndrome and developmental delay. The syndrome causes such weakness that Danielle must use a power wheelchair for the rest of her life. She is one of Variety’s kids.
Variety provided Danielle’s family with a van lift. Because her power wheelchair is so heavy to transport back and forth, this lift makes it possible for Danielle to go more places and be more independent in her wheelchair.
This van lift is a good thing, because Danielle has miles to go.