Telethon time nears

Sunday, February 23, 2003
The 2003 Telethon poster

SIKESTON -- Posters for the 23rd Annual Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon are going up all over the area, but the children chosen to be on the posters are only a fraction of the lives touched by the Kenny Rogers Children's Center.

The Center provides services to children throughout Southeast Missouri who need physical, occupational or speech therapy. All of these services are provided at no direct cost to the families.

However, without help from the public, these services would not be possible. That is why the annual telethon is so important.

"This is our largest fund raiser of the year," said Michelle Fayette, executive director of KRCC. "We provide services to children throughout 10 counties in Southeast Missouri at no direct cost to their families. However, there is a shortfall every year and we make that up through fund raising."

And the money that is donated to the Center, stays at the Center. "All of the money stays (in the area) and is helping someone you know," Fayette said. "It is helping your family, or your neighbor's family or the family of someone you work with."

The schedule this year will be like those in year's past. On March 21 there will be a dinner auction with the telethon to take place on March 22 and 23 at the Sikeston Field House.

This year's headline entertainer will be Bill Yates, a native of Doniphan and well-known country singer and songwriter.

The James Bayou Catfish Cookers will cook on March 23 and "for $7 you can get good food and 100 percent of those proceeds will go toward the center," Fayette said.

But while the telethon is entertaining, the real reason for the event is never lost: the children. This year, seven children will represent the local area in promoting the telethon.

* Kanareous Dunnigan, daughter of Chaka Murray of Wyatt.

Stricken with cerebral palsy, Kanareous receives physical therapy where she is learning how to walk with a walker and balance transfer skills such as getting up.

* Brandon Dedmon, son of Becky Lasters of Canalou.

Brandon was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth and receives both physical therapy and occupational therapy which helps him work on his muscle endurance and strength.

* Michael Baker, son of Michael and Melissa Baker of Sikeston.

Born premature, Michael has a developmental delay and receives both speech therapy and occupational therapy.

* Katelyn Lang, daughter of Tabatha Lang of Bloomfield.

Katelyn wad diagnosed with Klippel-feil, Mobius Syndrome and Daunes Syndrome. She receives occupational therapy which helps her define her motor skills such as buttoning her coat.

* Rex Rattler, son of Rex and Cynthia Rattler of Poplar Bluff.

Rex has autism and receives speech and occupational therapy. Some of the things therapists work with Rex on is transitioning between activities and his social skills.

* Charissa Hollowell, daughter of Michael Hollowell and Gaetanna Mier of Cape Girardeau.

Charissa had a stroke and receives physical and occupational therapy where she works on things such as her balance, strengthening her left leg and visual skills.

* Mariah Schott, daughter of Jeff and Cynthia Schott of Kelso.

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Mariah receives physical therapy where therapists work with her walking, standing balance and leg strength.

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