On Thursday, November 17th, CRIT hosted its 5th annual Fashion Show at the Norris Center in San Antonio, Texas. Organized by Gilda Canavati, the fundraiser showcased fashions by St. John Boutique and featured CRIT patients among its models. The event featured a raffle and a silent auction and welcomed vendors with clothing, jewelry, and beauty products available for purchase.
Special thanks to Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages for sponsoring our event, Gilda Canavati, Ana Carcur, Gilda’s Friends, St. John Boutique, Milan Institute of Cosmetology, DJ Fabian, and the models for making this year’s fashion show a huge success. All proceeds from this event benefit children and their families receiving rehabilitation services at CRIT.
ViX Launches “En Sus Palabras: Rumbo A TeletonUSA”
By: TELETONUSA /
In preparation for the TeletonUSA Foundation’s tenth-anniversary celebration, the streaming platform, ViX launched “En Sus Palabras: Rumbo a TeletonUSA.” Hosted by Maity Interiano, the show’s third season showcases the inspiring stories of the organization’s leaders, volunteers, team members, and Univision talent that have been key along this journey. These interviews document the Foundation’s history and the stories of success, challenges, and plans for the future.
Each episode details the stories of stars such as Don Francisco, Galilea Montijo, Karla Martínez, Alan Tacher, Raúl González, El Dasa, Leslie Grace, Joss Favela, Borja Voces, and Rafael Araneda. The organization’s personalities are Federica Soriano, CEO of the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT). Fernando Landeros, President of the TeletonUSA Foundation, Denilson, CRIT’s first patient, and Alma and Danny, CRIT volunteers, are also featured in the show.
All 11 episodes of “En Sus Palabras: Rumbo a TeletonUSA” are now streaming on ViX. Don’t miss the 2022 TeletonUSA Event on Saturday, December 17, on Univision, Galavisión, and ViX starting at 10 AM / 9 C / 7 PT. TeletonUSA, ten years together!
Click here to stream “En Sus Palabras: Rumbo a TeletonUSA.”
CRIT Hosts Second Annual “It Takes A Village” Gala
By: TELETONUSA /
On Friday, October 28th, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) hosted the “It Takes a Village” Masquerade Gala at the Red Berry Estate in San Antonio, Texas.
The masquerade gala featured a casino, live music, a silent auction, and a live auction that showcased the work of renowned contemporary artist Abraham Mojica. Among the items for auction were two paintings by Orlando and Alenni, CRIT patients, in collaboration with Mojica.
Special thanks to Barbara Reyes for making this event possible and Arca Continental, The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, GVTC Communications, Frost Bank, University Health, and RSM for sponsoring. All proceeds from this event benefit children and their families receiving rehabilitation services at CRIT.
From Your CRIT Counselor: Be Grateful
By: TELETONUSA /
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault.
As we look back these last couple of years and ponder how things have changed because of the pandemic, we learn how fragile life is and how it can change instantly. As a country, one day out of the year is designated to gather with friends and family and express gratitude. However, why not be thankful each day?
Among other things, gratitude helps improve our mood, fosters hope for the future, reduces stress and burnout, increases resilience, and improves physical and mental health. It can also enhance the quality of sleep and relationships with others.
Expressing gratitude can be done through the actions we display with others and writing. Maintaining a gratitude journal is a great way to document 3-5 things you are grateful for and serves as a reminder when you are feeling down or unable to recognize the good in your life.
When expressing gratitude, remember yourself. We forget to thank ourselves for all we do and all we have experienced to get to where we are. Life is not perfect or easy, but we do our best with what we have and know.
Let’s take the time to enjoy and celebrate each moment. The past is no longer. The future is unknown. All we have is today, the present. Truly a gift.
She’s A Showstopper At CRIT: Sammi Is All In With Her Acting And Therapy
By: TELETONUSA /
If the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) were a theater on Broadway, it’s safe to say that Sammi would regularly bring down the house. This 11-year-old dynamo was born with a severe Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type III case. The condition creates tremendous challenges for her mobility, and she has broken hundreds of bones in her life, even from the most mundane activities, such as sneezing too hard.
Sammi arrived at CRIT for therapy at an early age. She receives treatment twice a week to prevent her bones from breaking, and the pool at CRIT is an ideal place for her to receive therapy because the buoyancy of the water does not place significant stress on her body.
Sammi’s family feels enormously supported at CRIT, as she meets her goals and nurtures her passion for acting. “Sammi looks forward to working with the therapists at CRIT and seeing the staff, volunteers, and her friends each week. The building makes her feel happy. Being happy to work hard keeps her strength up, helps her maintain her health and endurance, to be able to do all the things she loves, including acting and voiceover work,” said Priscilla, Sammi’s mom.
Sammi’s journey at CRIT has paid off. With her commitment, determination, and smile, she has navigated the therapy sessions that have allowed her to have more self-confidence and be included in society. Today, Sammi’s ability to share her message scored her a notable role in the Netflix series “Raising Dion.” She wants to be a role model for Hollywood to prove that there should be more actors with disabilities in the entertainment industry. Sammi is now featured in a new Disney show.
CRIT has been where Sammi and her family can strengthen themselves so that Sammi can continue achieving all her dreams.
“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.”
Our upbringing, environment, and society create an image of what life should be. It is different for everyone. Growing up, we have dreams and ideas of what our future will look like or should be like. The reality can be very different.
When I was in high school, I decided to be a journalist. I wanted to write, travel the world, and share people’s stories. Little did I know that the choice would eventually lead to me being a counselor. There were decisions made along the way, circumstances, and events that molded me and changed my perspective and my goals.
Some events happen in our lives that are beyond our control. We have control over our thoughts, feelings, and actions. We can control how we respond to situations. How we choose to respond to situations is what makes a difference in the result. We can allow situations to bring us down and even destroy us emotionally and/or mentally, or we can utilize them to learn, grow and become more resilient.
It is important to have dreams, set goals, and plan for the future. It is equally essential to be flexible and able to adjust and adapt. If we can accept life as it comes, we may obtain far greater or more beneficial results than we originally imagined.
Save the Date: 2022 TeletonUSA Event
By: TELETONUSA /
This year, TeletonUSA celebrates its tenth anniversary. As we celebrate ten years together, we acknowledge the children who have overcome the challenges and achieved their goals. We celebrate our community that has made thousands of dreams possible and the commitment to work together to build a better world.
On December 17th, join the celebration of our patients’ achievements. Don’t miss special guests, musical performances, special editions of your favorite shows, and our patients’ and families’ testimonies.
Join us on Saturday, December 17, on Univision, Galavisión, and ViX starting at 10 AM / 9 C / 7 PT. TeletonUSA, ten years together!
CRIT Receives Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
By: TELETONUSA /
On Wednesday, September 21st, the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT) was awarded a Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® (HKHF) grant by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). The HKHF funding will support BCBSTX’s commitment to community-based organizations supporting children and families that focus on health and wellness.
The program will provide multiple CRIT families with access to assistance. Unfunded and underfunded patients enrolled in a treatment program receiving comprehensive and complete rehabilitative services like physical, occupational, and speech and language therapies will qualify for financial assistance.
“We are so thankful for being awarded the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas! With this support, our patient families will be able to focus on their treatment without worry or fear,” said Federica Soriano, CRIT’s Chief Executive Officer. “It is our job to provide quality care and access for our patients’ success and give them the freedom to work toward their quality of life.”
Launched in 2011, HKHF started as a three-year project designed to improve the health and wellness of at least one million children through community investments. The program was extended as BCBSTX’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of the children and families across Texas.
“We are happy to award these grants that will support and nurture meaningful and transformational projects across Texas,” said Alicia Cooper, Community Affairs Director-North Region. “Strategically, it is also important that we continue to aid community-based organizations directly supporting children and families with health and wellness equity as well as building foundations for economic opportunity.”
The HKHF program – which centers on nutrition, physical activity, disease prevention and management, and supporting safe environments – has awarded more than $20 million since its inception.
“At CRIT, we value every gift we receive. Collectively, these funds allow CRIT to offer an affordable, multi-disciplinary, holistic, and family-centered model of care for children with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities ages zero to eighteen. Since 2014, we have served over 1,700 families, and offered 182,000+ treatments of care – and we can do so because of supporters like BCBSTX,” said Soriano.
CRIT Holds Fourth Annual Golf Tournament to Raise Funds
By: TELETONUSA /
On Monday, September 19th, 32 teams faced off during CRIT’s fourth annual golf tournament at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas. The event featured a post-play reception, chances at a drawing, and an exclusive clinic hosted by professional golfers Abraham Ancer and Bobby Díaz.
“I am thrilled to support the children of TeletonUSA again this year at the annual CRIT golf tournament,” commented Abraham Ancer. “Since childhood, this cause has been very present in my life, so supporting the CRIT children and their families is an honor.”
Special thanks to Genaro Dávila for your commitment as tournament director, organizing the fourth annual CRIT Golf Tournament and helping us spread our mission of inclusion, and Agrizar and USIO, presenting and platinum sponsors. Thank you, Abraham Ancer, sponsors, donors, and golfers, for making our annual tournament a huge success. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit children and their families receiving rehabilitation services at CRIT.
