Westminster Couple Creates Joy for Children with Disabilities Through Adapted Toys
WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Steve and Deana Watson have transformed their home into a holiday haven, not for crafting toys, but for modifying them, making them accessible for children with disabilities. For over a decade, the couple has adapted store-bought toys for children with special needs through their nonprofit, Max Mods.
"We can modify toys in just 10 minutes," Steve shares, explaining how simple electronic adaptations enable children to engage with toys they otherwise couldn’t use. To date, Max Mods has delivered over 10,000 adapted toys to children in 23 countries, and they are preparing for their 11th annual Santa’s Little Hackers event, which will see more than 300 volunteers work to modify thousands of toys.
A standout moment for the Watsons was discovering a minions fart-blaster while shopping for their son, Max, who has Cobalamin X, a rare condition affecting his ability to communicate and engage with typical toys. "When I pressed the button, Max just lit up and laughed," recalls Deana. This inspired them to modify the toy for Max, who is now 21 and still cherishes it.
Business-savvy Steve, an engineer, realized that adapting toys costs just a few dollars compared to the $80 to $100 price tag on commercial adapted versions. This year, they have stocked approximately 1,600 toys for the Santa’s Little Hackers event, having received over 2,800 requests for adapted toys this Christmas season.
"This is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us," Deana stated. The upcoming event will take place on December 14, 2024, at Adams12 Five Star Schools. Denver7 is assisting in raising funds for the event through Denver7 Gives, ensuring that 100% of donations go directly to supporting local families in need.
Source
Photo credit www.denver7.com
