How to help
What: 33rd Annual Telethon for United Rehabilitation Services
When: 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
Where: WDTN-TV, Channel 2
To make a pledge: Call (937) 293-0200 or www.urs dayton.org
DAYTON — When it came time to chose a new military base, Crystal and George Mitzner had three choices: Washington, D.C., San Antonio or Dayton.
They picked Dayton, partly because of United Rehabilitation Services and the care the nonprofit agency provides for children like their son, Jackson.
Jackson, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, doesn’t walk or talk and can’t sit up.
“The level of care is very specialized and URS has an inclusive program, which means the typical kids are alongside the kids who are non-typical, and they can learn from each other,” explains Jackson’s mom, Crystal.
Children like Jackson will be in the spotlight today when United Rehabilitation Services hosts its 33rd annual telethon from on WDTN-TV, Channel 2. The Mitzner family of Huber Heights will be among those profiled on the telethon, which will be broadcast from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The agency serves 400 children and adults with disabilities every day.
George Mitzner is a clinical psychologist at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base. Crystal’s background is medical anthropology and public health.
“He also requires a feeding tube, so we were looking for a day care that would take children on the severe spectrum,” she explains. “A lot of kids like Jackson are excluded from normal daily activities and as a parent it makes me feel good that he’s in a quality place where he can participate in activities like crafts, circle time and outside play time like other 4-year-olds.”
Vivian O’Connell, communications and special events manager for URS, says the goal for the three-hour telethon is $100,000. Money raised will support a variety of URS programs and will be used to replace a special-needs child-care playground.
Funds will also be used to enhance an aquatic therapy program, purchase equipment, provide training for therapists and expand field trip opportunities for adults with disabilities.
Contact this reporter at mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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