Sometimes big changes start with a small but powerful voice. For the Iowa State Fair’s newest attraction, that voice belonged to eight-year-old Kinsley.
Last year, Kinsley - who lives with special needs - visited the Fair’s playground, only to find she couldn’t climb to the top. Her parents, Amy and Micah, watched as she turned away for the first time from a play space she couldn’t access.
“We thought about it, prayed about it, and then we decided to reach out to the fair,” Amy recalls. “With her disabilities, she learns to adapt, and she tries, and this was the first playground she had to walk away from.”
The Hagermans sent an email explaining the need for a more inclusive space. The Fair’s response was immediate: “You’re right.”
“Our playground was not accessible to all,” said Peter Cownie, Executive Director of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. “We want everything to be accessible to all here at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.”
From that moment, the idea took root. The Blue Ribbon Foundation reached out to Variety for our expertise in building inclusive playgrounds. Thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, the project moved from vision to reality in record time.
Now, the Variety Star Inclusive Playground stands as a vibrant, agriculture-themed space where children of all abilities can play side-by-side - complete with ramps, smooth surfaces, and sensory-friendly features. On Opening Day, Kinsley was one of the first to test it out, racing up the ramps and sliding down with her dad.
“It was just great that she was validated and we were heard,” Amy shared.
Because one child spoke up, no child at the Iowa State Fair will ever have to walk away from the playground again - rain or shine.
Kinsley’s story didn’t end there!
Last fall, Kinsley returned to that same playground for a moment just as life changing. Through Variety’s mobility program, she received a custom Rifton bike designed just for her. For Kinsley, the bike represents freedom, confidence, and the simple joy of movement. It allows her to ride alongside her family, build strength, and explore the world in new ways.
Thanks to Variety's generous supporters, children like Kinsley are gaining more than just equipment - they are gaining independence, confidence, and the chance to enjoy childhood to the fullest. Your gift helps ensure more children receive the mobility and resources they need to move, play, and thrive.
Tune In to the 52nd Telethon
Join us on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, on KCCI to hear Kinsley’s story and meet other Variety program recipients. This year’s Telethon will celebrate the incredible impact we’ve made for Iowa’s children and thank the companies and organizations that make it all possible.
Donate to Your Favorite VIP Fundraiser or Make a General Telethon Donation
