12-year old raises money for Shriner’s Hospital

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A 12-year old Lexington girl, who regained her ability to walk at Shriner’s Hospital in Lexington, wanted to give back to help other children at the hospital and raised more than $500 in a fundraiser she organized.

If you’ll allow me to put on my proud father hat for a moment, that 12-year old girl is my daughter, Campbell Kenny. She is an active pre-teen who dances competitively and is on a summer swim team. Earlier this year she gradually lost her ability to walk.

All of the x-rays and MRI’s were normal. We visited numerous doctors in a variety of specialties and no one could tell us what was wrong, why it was happening or what we could do about the condition. Before we knew it, she was confined to crutches, a walker and wheelchair. We were desperate for answers.

Those answers finally came when our pediatrician referred us to Shriner’s in Lexington. We not only received a diagnosis, which was ‘Complex Regional Pain Syndrome,’ but doctors came up with an aggressive treatment plan designed to allow my daughter to regain the ability to walk.

After several procedures, hospital stays and intense physical therapy where she re-learned how to walk, my daughter is walking, dancing and swimming again.

As a parent or for the patient, you can’t put a price tag on that, but my daughter did want to give back to the place that gave her back her legs, so she organized a fundraiser on her own to help other children at Shriner’s.

In late August, she held a fundraiser at ‘Painting with a Twist’ in Lexington. It’s a wonderful place on Richmond Road where for two entertaining hours, you’re taught by fun, talented art instructors as you create your own work of art. It’s not paint by numbers, it’s paint by instruction and visual tips. Even if you don’t think you have any artistic ability at all to draw or paint, I promise you, you’ll surprise yourself and walk out with something to be proud of to show family and friends.

The business gives a portion of the day’s proceeds to the charity of your choice. I had colleagues from ABC 36 News take part, including Christine Winter, Lauren Gawthrop and producer Echo Gamel. There were also total strangers who showed up for a great afternoon of helping a great cause. We are indebted to all of them.

Other people who couldn’t attend the fundraiser, generously sent in money. When it was all said and done, Campbell raised more than $500 for the hospital.

She presented the check to hospital administrator Tony Lewgood Wednesday morning.

At a time when many places ask how can you pay, Shriner’s asks, how can we help?

The hospital relies on donations, big and small. It may sound cliché, but every little bit helps. My daughter was honored to help, even a little bit.

To learn more about Shriner’s Hospital in Lexington, visit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/Locations/lexington.

For more information about ‘Painting with a Twist,’ visit http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/lexington.