Gracie Gibson has been Variety’s “Poster Child" since Jan. 13, 2009. As a poster child, Gracie raises awareness of Variety’s mission to help St. Louis children with disabilities reach their full potential. Her role in this honorary position entails numerous appearances at Variety events as well as many St. Louis community events. Anywhere Gracie goes, she reveals a vibrant “I CAN!” spirit and reveals the difference Variety has made in her life.
Gracie, the daughter of Kim and Ron Gibson, has cerebral palsy, a disability affecting speech and muscle movement that results from damage to her brain before or during birth. Gracie relies on her wheelchair, power stander and walker for mobility. She goes everywhere independently and always has a smile for everyone.
As a Variety child since she was 1 year old, Gracie has received numerous pieces of vital medical equipment to improve her quality of life, including manual and power wheelchairs, a stander, a gait trainer, leg braces, a van lift and a communication device. She is also one of Variety’s most active children, having participated annually in Variety outings, Adventure Camp and the Children’s Chorus. In December 2008, she traveled with the Chorus to visit the White House in Washington, D.C., and performed during the First Lady’s Holiday Open House. She also receives assistance from Variety agencies Ride on St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
It is Variety tradition that a new poster child is named concurrently with its new board president. David Steward, chairman and CEO of Worldwide Technology, Inc., became president on Jan. 13, 2009.