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Fundación Teletón USA to Locate
Rehabilitation Center for Kids Near Morgan’s Wonderland
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“We’re so honored and pleased the CRIT Texas (Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón USA) Teletón USA children’s rehabilitation center will be built next door to Morgan’s Wonderland,” Hartman said. “The physical rehabilitation process can be tough on families, but we believe Morgan’s Wonderland will be a wonderful outlet for family enjoyment. Thus, Morgan’s Wonderland will be able to be a strong partner in the rehabilitation process.”

Similarly, the entire community can take great pride in the fact that Fundación Teletón USA chose San Antonio for its first children’s rehab center in the U. S., Hartman added.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the 45,000-square-foot facility have been tentatively set for August, after which construction is scheduled to take almost a year, he noted. The new San Antonio center is designed to accommodate youngsters up to age 18, and fees are based solely on one’s ability to pay. A team of doctors, therapists and counselors will develop a treatment plan for each child that requires involvement of the entire family.

“Fundación Teletón USA and Morgan’s Wonderland are both out-of-the-box thinkers when it comes to helping the special-needs community,” Hartman said. “In addition to Morgan’s Wonderland aiding in the physical rehabilitation process, there’s the possibility of a role for Toyota Field, new 8,000-seat home of the San Antonio Scorpions FC pro soccer team, in hosting concerts to raise additional funding for rehabilitating children with disabilities.”

Last December, Fundación Teletón USA held its first telethon in this country on the Univision TV Networks to benefit needy children with disabilities, cancer and autism. Renowned TV personality “Don Francisco” (Mario Kreutzberger) along with Jorge Ramos, Lucero, Galilea and Raúl González hosted the 27-hour event that raised $15.2 million, far surpassing the $7-million goal for the construction of a children’s rehabilitation center in the U. S.

Fundación Teletón USA took its inspiration from comedian Jerry Lewis, who began hosting telethons for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in 1966. Ten years later, Kreutzberger saw Lewis’ telethon, and upon returning to Chile, he decided to replicate the format in that country and dedicate all funds raised to children with disabilities. The enormous success of the Chilean Teletón ultimately led to Teletóns in 13 Latin American nations and now the U. S.

The Teletóns’ mission – “to serve children with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities through comprehensive rehabilitation, promoting the children’s full development and inclusion into society, as well as to provide knowledge about physical disabilities, giving a strong message about respect, equality and support to people in these conditions” – mirrors the mission of Morgan’s Wonderland, Hartman said.

Completely wheelchair-accessible, Morgan’s Wonderland is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive in Northeast San Antonio just west of IH 35 at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive. The latest information on Morgan’s Wonderland admissions, operating days/hours of operation, rides, attractions and special events/celebrations can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com.

Morgan’s Wonderland, the South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex, the Scorpions, Toyota Field and Monarch Academy school for students with special needs, plus other initiatives to help the special-needs community, were created through the vision and leadership of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. Visit www.GordonHartman.com for more information.
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