Learning Disability

The Sky's the Limit Gala Benefits Kids with Learning Disabilities

A high point of the evening was the presentation of the 2009 Smart Kids with LD Youth Achievement Award to Michael Sullivan of Wantagh, New York by Rebecca Conviser, the winner of the 2005 Youth Achievement Award and an aspiring opera singer. Sullivan, a senior at MacArthur High School in Levittown, New York, was honored for his accomplishments as an Intel Science Contest semifinalist, AP scholar, Coca Cola Foundation Scholars finalist, varsity football and soccer player and dedicated community service activist. As he commented in accepting the award, noting the many hurdles he has had to overcome, "I spent my first 15 years wishing I was normal. Now I wonder why. Maybe I don't want to be normal any more - I want to be successful."

Conviser also presented a Special Recognition Award to Michael Mitsche, a senior at the Gow School in South Wales, NY and world-class rower; and an Honorable Mention Award to Justin Renfrow of Morrisville, PA, who will play defensive end for the University of Virginia football team next year.

Several Stamford Special Education teachers and administrators were on hand to witness Conviser's presentation of the Junior Achievement Award to Eddie Schulte, 12, honoring his outstanding talent in art. Schulte is a 6th grader at the Scofield Middle Magnet School in Stamford.

Smart Kids with LD was particularly proud to honor Henry Winkler, the accomplished author, film and television star who struggled with undiagnosed dyslexia growing up, with the Smart Kids Community Service Award. In accepting via videotape, Mr. Winkler stated, "There are so many children in our country today with learning challenges, who really feel 'less than,' who are so afraid that they're never going to accomplish their dream. Smart Kids is there to say, 'You can. You will. Eventually you can be who it is you dream of being.'"

The live auction included the 15 books in Mr. Winkler's series, "Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever," signed and with an individual message in each. Other auction items included an opportunity to name a character in the final "Hank Zipzer" title, lunch with Mr. Winkler in Los Angeles, and a week's stay in a luxury Steamboat Springs condo. Youth Achievement Award winner Michael Sullivan pulled the winning raffle ticket for the red Smart Car on display in the theater lobby. The winner was Douglas Cotter, Associate Director of Admissions at the Gow School.

Sponsors for the gala benefit, which raised almost $53,000 for the Westport-based non-profit organization providing information, guidance and inspiration to families of children with LD and ADHD via its educational programs, newsletter and website at www.SmartKidswithLD.org, included Lindamood-Bell Learning Centers (also a sponsor of the Youth Achievement Awards), Deloitte LLP, The Churchill School, Fairfield County Bank, The Forman School and the Replogle Foundation. Media sponsorship was provided by Cox Radio.

Keywords: Learning Disability, Education, Entertainment, Football, Pediatrics, Soccer, Special Education, TelevisionDevelopmental Disabilities, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities.

This article was prepared by Mental Health Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Mental Health Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.