On Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, The Limb Kind Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports children with limb loss and limb differences, will host the 4th annual sold out Show Your Shine adaptive runway show on Long Island.
“I want people to stare for the right reasons,” said Jill Smith, Occupational Therapist, Event Founder and Organizer. Over twenty runway models from 6 years old to 46, (mostly children) have limb loss including legs, arms and hands. “They are stared at daily because of their differences, but at this event, all eyes will be on them celebrating their courage and resilience. I’m blown away by the tremendous support of the community. I am humbled that in year four we have a sold out crowd of over 500 people, showing that our message is clear and our mission is being accomplished.”
Runway models include Belle, age 6, from Huntington, LI, who lost her left leg this year due to cancer but is ready to strut her stuff; Sophia, age 13 from California, whose missing right arm does not stop her teenage activities such as surfing, rock climbing and volleyball! She dreams of being a fashion designer; and Matias, age 30, stepped on an IED during a combat tour (Operation Enduring Freedom) while in Afghanistan and lost both legs earning him a purple heart. Today he is an active Police Officer with the Suffolk County Police Department, making him the first Double Amputee Patrolman in the country.
Ms. Smith created this event four years ago to showcase the amputee community by putting them front and center. “It takes courage and confidence to walk down a runway - with or without a physical difference. Through this experience each model finds their own confidence and can build on it. And their community learns that differences do not need to separate them from their dreams.”
This year’s Show Your Shine guest speaker is returning runway model Ela Pirri, 14 years old from Bristol Rhode Island. She was born without radial bones and thumbs and as a result has had to endure many surgeries. Ela is an inspiration.
Robert Schulman, Executive Director of The Limb Kind Foundation says, “This is a special evening that continues to further advance our mission of improving the lives of children with limb loss by strengthening the amputee community…not only in New York, but around the world”.
The annual event also raises funds to support the international work started by Mr. Schulman when he founded The Limb Kind Foundation. His first trip was to Haiti following the devastating earthquake, and he has expanded his mission of donating services and prostheses to Ethiopia, Kenya, Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Event Details:
ABOUT THE LIMB KIND FOUNDATION The Limb Kind Foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of children with limb loss both domestically and internationally by strengthening the amputee community and providing prosthetic care to all. For more information, visit www.limbkind.org and our social media platforms https://www.facebook.com/LimbKindFoundation/ and https://www.instagram.com/limbkindfoundation/.