“We’re just here trying to help people afford anything and everything they see in this room.”
Our Executive Director Kelly L Green teamed up with our heart transplant client Ambassador Kevin Lopez to face excited crowds at Abilities Expo Dallas 2024.
“If you need any fundraising, Help Hope Live is the place to be. It helped me and it’s a blessing.”
Here’s who we met—and how a social media post reminded us of the power of these kinds of gatherings within the disability community.
Meeting Clients & More
Our client Jamie Carlson was sporting a super-cool seasonal t-shirt featuring Santa making his reindeer-led deliveries from a sporty wheelchair instead of a sleigh:
Jamie started fundraising with us one year ago in December 2023 for costs associated with cerebral palsy. Her community has raised over $19,100 in her honor since then.
We’ll be telling more of her story in a future blog post.
We were excited to run into Rick Snyder, who started fundraising with us in March 2021 for costs associated with a spinal cord injury—particularly a much-needed wheelchair van:
We met up with client Charlotte Schkurman, who started a fundraising campaign with us just a few months ago for uncovered costs associated with chronic Lyme disease.
Charlotte collapsed at work at age 22, and it took her two years to find a diagnosis. 20 years later, her diagnosis continues to lead to challenges with mobility and independence, work, and even hobbies and passions.
We had a blast participating in a special giveaway for a versatile Majestic mobility chair by Comfygo—with its super advanced remote control capabilities plus quilted comfort padding decked out in Help Hope Live teal:
“A helper is receiving help!”
It was a particularly special moment for the winner, Diana, who entered on behalf of her niece and spent much of her time at Abilities Expo Dallas helping others to find resources and support.
“She’s going to be so happy with this!”
The whole room got excited as Diana came forward. Some even shared their stories of how Diana had made the event memorable and meaningful for them.
Surprising no one who had met her at the Expo, she used her time in the spotlight to reiterate the importance of awareness, education, and advocacy to better support the disability community—in English and in Spanish.
“There is a connection everywhere.”
Watch the moment on Facebook:
All in all, it was one of the most spirited and engaging Ability Expos of 2024. We can’t wait for the next one!
The Meaning of Connection & Community
We’ve been to so many Abilities Expos and events for the disability community that it’s easy to forget just how eye-opening Expos can be for newcomers.
“Attending our first Abilities Expo was an emotional experience for me…”
Thankfully, an Instagram post from @bravelikegage gave us a much-needed reminder:
“Gage is only two, and as a family just beginning to navigate the world of disabilities, it often feels like a circus—juggling Gage’s needs alongside those of our four-year-old and trying to keep everything balanced.
I had done a little research about what the expo might offer, but nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming sense of support and opportunity that awaited us…yes, I became that mom who cried at an expo! But in that moment, it felt like a weight had been lifted.
We left the expo filled with light amongst the heaviness that comes with knowledge cause the next question we start asking is, okay, so how much does that cost and will it be covered. We all know everything costs a ridiculous amount more for disability equipment. That’s why there were booths there to help us get them.”
“I’m so glad we made the decision to go.”
See You at the Next One?
We add Abilities Expos to our Events page so you can plan to meet up with some of our team members and client Ambassadors in-person or attend a medical fundraising workshop with us.
Kelly’s advice for our workshops:
“Ask us all the questions—yes, even the hard ones.”
Hope we’ll catch you at a 2025 Expo!
