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Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City hosts egg hunt for kids who have disabilities

Posted at 9:54 PM, Mar 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-27 23:54:47-04

SALT LAKE CITY – Easter egg hunts are a community tradition thousands of children look forward to every year, but for some kids it’s a big physical challenge.

To help alleviate the obstacles those children face, Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City hosts a unique egg hunt each year for Easter.

One hundred patients and their families felt the spring spirit this week as they took on Shriners annual Easter egg hunt. The event is specially designed for children who use wheelchairs and walkers or have other disabilities that make it a struggle to participate in other egg hunts.

“It’s just so much fun for our families,” said Public Relations Manager Dawn Wright. “A lot of the children that we treat have orthopedic conditions. They might not have an easy time getting around, and so we give kids the time and the space that they need to enjoy an Easter egg hunt.”

And while the children may face challenges, Wright says you should never count them out too soon.

“The thing that surprises us every year is how quick these kids are at getting their Easter eggs,” she said. “They are ready to go once we let them loose.”

After all the excitement of the hunt, basket and after basket is filled with eggs and treats.

“The reason it’s so fun is because everybody gets to have a good time and play,” said 9-year-old Gracie Davis.

Most kids might want the treats to themselves, but the children we talked to had a different idea.

“I’m probably going to go around and share some with other people that don't really have eggs,” Gracie said.

Kristopher Brandon had similar plans.

“We’re going to share it to our friends at school,” he said.

The children also participated in the hospital's spring fest.