Young Woman Works To Help Kids With Disabilities Create Connections

One in 50 children are living with a disability, and although living with a disability isn’t necessarily rare, it can be lonely and isolating.

Whether it’s autism, down syndrome, epilepsy, dyslexia, muscular dystrophy or more, one young woman is working to connect kids to show them they are not alone.

"Livy has had epilepsy and cerebral palsy since she was born, so she's in a wheelchair and she can't speak,” Hailey Scheinman, President and CEO of Kids Crew said.

Fifteen-year-old Livy didn't need words to teach her twin sister Hailey some pretty valuable lessons.

"She's taught us acceptance and to give back to others and to appreciate what we have,” Hailey said.

With that in mind, Hailey became Founder, President and CEO of Kids Crew, working to connect kids without epilepsy to kids with epilepsy.

"Kids are really accepting and once they learn to accept other people early on than that will last their whole lives,” Hailey said.

Membership has grown to 2,900 in 50 states, teaching awareness, educating families and helping others. The movement caught the attention of the National Epilepsy Foundation.

"You want to make sure that other people are out there for you that you're not alone in this,” Laura Thrall, CEO of Epilepsy Foundation of America said.

The impact can be life changing. Many children with epilepsy are at an increased risk for bullying, difficulties in social engagement, inadequate school skills and poor self-esteem.

"I think what we're trying to do is say differences are okay,” Thrall said.

Kids Crew members take part in "Lemonade for Livy" which has raised $740,000 dollars for charity and a priceless amount of awareness for kids living with epilepsy.

"We believe that kids can change the world,” Hailey said. “It' doesn't matter what your age is, you are able to make a difference.”

You can visit the Kids Crew website here.