INDEPENDENCE, MO (KSHB/CNN) –Waco Porter helps his daughter every day.
It’s challenging, because Simone has cerebral palsy. In 14 years of life, she’s gone through more than 30 surgeries and suffered multiple seizures.
Father and daughter shared joy and smiles this week.
The Kansas City Mavericks hockey team and the children’s charity Variety KC paired to put together an event where special needs children could get some ice time to play sled hockey and skate.
"She's been shooting goals and just having a good time," Porter said.
Hockey and skating equipment for special needs children can be hard to find and expensive.
Maverick’s owner Lamar Hunt Jr. has a unique interest in the event. His 3-year-old grandson is special needs too.
Michael’s dad James Arkell said the year of work it took to get the donations and equipment to make the event possible was worth the results.
"Seeing other families having this much fun and the joy on these kids’ faces … Getting to experience something they wouldn't normally get to experience makes it all worth it," he said.
It added up to special memories for everyone who took part, including Porter and Simone.
"Anything I can do with her where she's having a good time and actively participating in it,” he said. “I love that."
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