Henderson Students Create "Winter Wonderland" for Disabled Teen
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 20, 2012
Thanksgiving is still a few days away but a group of Henderson students are fulfilling a Christmas wish for a teenager with a rare genetic disorder in Clark County.
Kyle Knaak has what's called Williams Syndrome. He's 14-years-old, but has the mental capacity of a six-year old, along with many other health problems that make it a little harder for him to make friends his age. But his parents say he has one very special friend who's getting a lot of help making sure he has a happy holiday season.
Playing at his home, it's clear Kyle and his friend Sealy Thigpen love making things together. Typically they create fish from Play-doh, but one year when Kyle was so sick he couldn't leave home, Sealy inspired by his love for the holidays attempted to do something to brighten his spirit.
"He loves christmas," she said.
"I like Christmas, the parades cause you get to see Santa," said Kyle.
Sealy enlisted the help of her parents, both coaches at Henderson State and they brought dozens of students to make holiday magic in his family's front yard.
"It was like a wonderland, it was awesome," said Kyle.
It's become an annual tradition, five years strong now.
"They're blessed with athleticism and to turn around and be able to do something good for this family, they're receiving the blessing back," said Associate Athletic Director David Thigpen.
"Every year they come back and every year he beats the odds, he shouldn't have made it this far," said his mother, Holly Knaak.
She says Kyle suffers from heart, kidney and brain issues so severe, the excitement can be scary.
"His blood pressure goes up just from being excited but you can't hold him back," she said.
Instead of worrying, she says, she's grateful they're helping him enjoy as much as he can for as long as he can.
"Sealy makes him happy, Henderson makes him happy," she added.
Kyle wasn't feeling well enough to go out and enjoy his lights Monday evening. His mother says he appreciates them so much, they'll likely keep them up until the Spring.
Kyle Knaak has what's called Williams Syndrome. He's 14-years-old, but has the mental capacity of a six-year old, along with many other health problems that make it a little harder for him to make friends his age. But his parents say he has one very special friend who's getting a lot of help making sure he has a happy holiday season.
Playing at his home, it's clear Kyle and his friend Sealy Thigpen love making things together. Typically they create fish from Play-doh, but one year when Kyle was so sick he couldn't leave home, Sealy inspired by his love for the holidays attempted to do something to brighten his spirit.
"He loves christmas," she said.
"I like Christmas, the parades cause you get to see Santa," said Kyle.
Sealy enlisted the help of her parents, both coaches at Henderson State and they brought dozens of students to make holiday magic in his family's front yard.
"It was like a wonderland, it was awesome," said Kyle.
It's become an annual tradition, five years strong now.
"They're blessed with athleticism and to turn around and be able to do something good for this family, they're receiving the blessing back," said Associate Athletic Director David Thigpen.
"Every year they come back and every year he beats the odds, he shouldn't have made it this far," said his mother, Holly Knaak.
She says Kyle suffers from heart, kidney and brain issues so severe, the excitement can be scary.
"His blood pressure goes up just from being excited but you can't hold him back," she said.
Instead of worrying, she says, she's grateful they're helping him enjoy as much as he can for as long as he can.
"Sealy makes him happy, Henderson makes him happy," she added.
Kyle wasn't feeling well enough to go out and enjoy his lights Monday evening. His mother says he appreciates them so much, they'll likely keep them up until the Spring.
