Love Is In The Air, And So Is Raising Funds For Accessibility!
Love Is In The Air, And So Is Raising Funds For Accessibility!
Everyone in the world has been affected by accessibility advancement, though some more than others. That’s where Dreamscape Foundation comes in! As our very first Stream Team fundraiser of 2022 kicks-off, we wanted to introduce everyone to our hand-picked Charity Streamers this week!
Jessyabeb Draws Attention To Disability Awareness
Jessy, aka Jessyabeb, is a former mental health nurse turned freelance digital artist and variety streamer. She is someone who has personal experience streaming for charity in the past like the b-present foundation which works to help educate and support young adults with cancer, along with “It Gets Better“, an organization that works to uplift, empower and connect with LGBTQ+ youth all around the world.
Jessy is selfless enough to help raise funds with Dreamscape Foundation because she finds herself an adult living with a disability. Knowing the experience first-hand, Jessy wants to help in any way she can. Viewers can expect a lot of art streams during the event, along with some Spelunky 2. “I will have some art up as donation incentives! I’ll also be doing some more viewer interactive stuff like marbles and some other games.” Jessy explains.
TheSaffronMan Raids For Accessibility
Meet Saff, also known as TheSaffronMan! Saff has had a lot of experience volunteering, ever since he was young. Things like summer camps and charity volunteer work to name a few. Where does all this inspiration to do good come from? In our interview with Saff, he mentioned that his late grandmother who had Parkinson’s was a massive role model for him, and continues to motivate him to this day!
For our Charity Stream with TheSaffronMan, the plans are to play a variety of games during the week; from Raid: Shadow legends, Halo Infinite, and GeoGuessr. The fun to be experienced is limitless! Saff also intends to mix it up with music and interact with his community by chatting on any relevant topics. Saff wanted to extend his support and that is how we met HWZ67!
HWZ67 Lends A Helping Hand
Coming in later to the Stream Team is Kofi or HWZ67! Kofi is known throughout his chatroom as a Teacher and a Musician, especially for his interest in creating meme music. His streaming journey began at the end of 2020 as he wanted to connect with more people in the Raid Shadow Legends community.
As an Elementary School teacher, HWZ has constant exposure to fundraising at his school, as well as some volunteer work with an organization called “Hosea Helps” who help families with a wide range of services, based out of Atlanta, GA. When asked why he wanted to join in this Valentine’s Day event, HWZ told us that ” I genuinely enjoy helping others! My fiancé and I are always talking about charity work so I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. She was very happy when I told her.”
JohnKozlov Blasts Off For Charity
Now introducing.. John Kozlov! John happens to be a full-time programmer, while also working as a part-time content creator. During our interview, Kozlov mentioned that he sees himself as a perfectionist who likes to do everything to the next level. Our new streamer friend is known to have a deep passion for simulation games, especially the Star Citizen universe which became one of his favorite games.
John Kozlov started streaming as a way to find like-minded people with whom he can share common values and ideas. After all said and done, Twitch streaming ended up as one of his greatest passions. Kozlov mentions that “It helped me evolve and express myself better.” We are very happy that he joined our week-long charity, and even though this is his first charity stream, we are happy to have him a part of our growing Valentine’s Day event Stream Team!
Sarcastickelly Welcomes Donations For Dreamscape
Meet Kelly, another friendly streamer we found on Twitch, where she is known as SarcastiKelly; A name her chatroom said fitted her perfectly – due to the fact that her sense of humor is very silly and ironic! As a self-described introvert, she always seems to make sure everyone feels included. According to Kelly, she is very reserved and quiet with people she hasn’t met before.
Although this will be the first Charity Event for Kelly, we can tell that she is very excited to lend her support! As she described in our interview, “This is something that I have always wanted to do and it’s just always been a question of when or how?” She explained ”I have always wanted to get into raising money for charities, there have just been so many questions and not knowing where to start. Once I got in contact with Dreamscape Foundation and got a good understanding of what they do and trying to achieve, I realized it’s something I wanted to be a part of.”
“Mental illness is something I’m way too familiar with, both myself and in my family, and I’ve always felt like it’s rarely taken seriously. I think that’s why I’ve grown to be so passionate and empathetic about wanting to help people, whether it’s to help someone move, or just be there if someone wants to talk, or just cheer someone up to make them forget about something that’s bringing them down if only for a moment.”
During the Charity Event, we can expect lots of fun, goofiness, and nothing but great time. Sarcastikelly adds “Not only will there be giveaways, but there will also be donations that’ll trigger certain actions that change the way I play whether it’s being blindfolded or choose what build/weapon to use, but you could also decide a future cosplay or a game to play and much more.”
How You Can Help Share The Dream:
We appreciate what these amazing streamers are doing as a part of giving back to Dreamscape’s disabled community. This Charity event will be filled with fun and passion from different people all around the globe. Let us all gather and unite to raise $5,000 in the spirit of Accessibility and Valentine’s Day.
All week long, February 7th to February 14th, 2022 we will be LIVE on Twitch and Tilitfy raising awareness of Dreamscape Foundation’s cause. Depending on an individual’s amount donated, donors will be eligible to win a variety of prizes, from multiple redeemable steam keys, to Dreamscape merchandise like T-Shirts, Magnets & Drawstring Backpacks. If you have anything to give, this is an amazing cause. Help us Share the Dream!
« PreviousNext »Dreamscape’s Mission Takes Shape at Hannibal YMCA
Dreamscape’s Mission Takes Shape at Hannibal YMCA
In 2018, Hannibal YMCA’s Group Fitness & Aquatics Coordinator reached out to Dreamscape Foundation seeking guidance and assistance on how to make their YMCA facility – and its programs – more accessible. The effort was inspired by one of their wheelchair-bound members, Audrey Pickett, who wanted to be more involved but was facing accessibility challenges at their facility.
Dreamscape Foundation immediately responded, and has since been providing advice on accessibility options and resources, as well as contributing funds to support the programs and equipment that would make accessibility possible.
The collaboration sparked a movement; one driven by Audrey’s determination to make the world more accessible for herself and others. She experienced firsthand how the fitness equipment and programs at the YMCA can improve her life, her personal strength, and her mobility.
Beyond that, she found a sense of community at the YMCA that accepted her, encouraged her, and offered opportunities to be involved with the organization. She wanted other individuals in her community with disabilities to have these same opportunities. Thus, Dreamscape Foundation remained in contact and continued to support her in these efforts.
Below is an update on her story.
From Student to Instructor: Audrey is an Invaluable Asset to the YMCA
In addition to her attending her physical training sessions, Audrey is now an instructor teaching Pound classes at the same YMCA that she helped evolve to accommodate accessibility needs. The class is a high energy cardio, conditioning, and strength training program that utilizes special drumsticks called “Ripstix.” The exercise uses these sticks to combine rhythmic beats with Pilates- and Yoga-inspired movements, and is easily modified to suit participant’s unique level of abilities.
“When I first started taking Pound two years ago, I didn’t ever think I was going to be teaching it,” Audrey confessed. “I didn’t even think I was going to last a class. But then I kept going back.”
When asked about how the last two years have impacted her, she said, “It’s made me a better person, and it’s made me stronger. I realized that I can do more than I thought I could do.”
Audrey has always enjoyed teaching and has desired to do so in some capacity. However, being a Pound instructor at the YMCA is an opportunity she never imagined would be a reality when this all began. She attributes her growth to both her dedicated practice and effort as well as the support of the people around her.
Beyond teaching, Audrey is also an active YMCA volunteer. Recently, she helped assemble food boxes for their USDA-funded food program called Meals On The Go. The program provides one week’s worth of food per box for youth ages 18 years and younger.
“I love this place,” Audrey said. “It’s my second home.”
Audrey continues to serve as a huge driver for accessibility at the YMCA. Her voice has led to several changes, including adapting the handicap restroom to be more accessible.
“Audrey mentioned that the stall was very tight, and she really couldn’t get in there, turn her chair and shut the door,” said Hannibal YMCA CEO Eric Abts. “And we appreciated that perspective. We moved on it pretty quickly, and got it switched over. Now it’s better for everyone.”
Looking forward, Audrey aspires to continue to grow, expanding her capabilities as a Pound instructor and possibly return to school to expand her education.
“I wanted to say we’re extremely thankful to Dreamscape Foundation for making this possible,” Eric said. “You guys have been wonderful. We’ve had this relationship with Dreamscape for well over a year now and it’s just been a blessing.”
« PreviousNext »Sh0wtig3r Rallies Her Cubs for a Good Cause
Sh0wtig3r Rallies Her Cubs for a Good Cause
Brianna Ritchie, better known to her Twitch community as Sh0wtig3r, first heard about Dreamscape Foundation from a friend. It piqued her interest enough to speak to our team and delve deeper into what we’re all about. As she learned about how we strive to make life easier and more accessible for people with disabilities, she volunteered to do a charity stream to help support our efforts.
“The mission that Dreamscape carries on their shoulders inspires me in many ways,” Ritchie said. “I have seen how disabilities can affect somebody’s life and when a group of people get together to help make their lives a little bit easier. How can that not inspire somebody? The amount of hope that Dreamscape puts into those who work with them is what truly inspires me.”
But who is she, exactly? Below we dive into details of how Brianna Ritchie became Sh0wtig3r, as well as what motivates her to stream.
The Origins of Sh0wtig3r’s Twitch Channel
Ritchie’s Twitch handle can be considered a mirror of some of her favorite things, including tigers and her love for the movie The Greatest Showman. Throw these passions into a name generator and voila: Sh0wtig3r was born. As a content creator who entertains her community, the name felt perfect.
Ritchie’s Twitch channel began in November 2018. Her friends urged her to try her hand at streaming, but not because she was great at gaming. In fact, her lack of skill was part of the appeal.
“I started playing some shooter games with my boyfriend and a couple of our friends,” she said. “I was not good at it, but we were having a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.”
She started out playing Fortnite with her friends before expanding into other titles, making her a variety streamer. However, these days her main game is Dead By Daylight. By consistently playing this game on her stream, she was able to build a more dedicated following. Ritchie now has approximately 2,300 followers on Twitch that she affectionately refers to as her cubs.
It’s All About Community for Her
Ritchie says it’s her community that keeps her streaming. The compassion and support of her regular viewers make the effort she pours into her channel worthwhile. They were there when she found out about her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and they rallied behind her to raise funds for her mother’s medical treatments. Her cubs’ empathy and the connections she has with her community over the years give her Twitch channel purpose.
That support isn’t a one-way street. Ritchie cares deeply about her cubs, and frequently promote mental health awareness within her stream. It’s a topic that resonates with her on a personal level, and she strives to remind her community that mental health struggles like depression and anxiety are valid, real, and not something they have to wrestle with alone.
“I want my community to know that they can come to me and talk to me if they need to,” she said. “And to know that they should never push their mental health aside just to a support me or support somebody else. Because in the end your own mental health is the number one thing.”
Join Sh0wtig3r for a 12-Hour Charity Stream Marathon May 22
Tune into Sh0wtig3r’s Twitch channel starting at noon May 22 for a 12-hour fundraising stream as she strives to raise $500 for Dreamscape Foundation’s mission. There will be plenty of ways for you to engage with her over the course of the event. Through your donations, you can make her put googly eyes on her face, gamble her tastebuds with Beanboozled jelly beans, or even get her to don a festive reindeer onesie.
“We have some fun stuff from game unlocks to being able to torture me in some way or another,” she said with a laugh.
There are also plenty of prizes to be won, including DLC, Dreamscape Foundation t-shirts, a tiger plushie, Pop! figures, and more. High dollar donations ranging from $50 or greater will all receive a personal thank you letter from Sh0wtig3r and a sticker.
It’s the “purr-fect” opportunity to support Dreamscape Foundation’s cause while having fun.
« PreviousNext »Drop Into MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys Charity Stream on May 16, 2021
Drop Into MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys Charity Stream on May 16, 2021
MrsGothicc’s Twitch handle may sound a little dark, but don’t let the name fool you. This non-profit streamer designed her channel with a bright mission in mind: to raise funds for charities. Dreamscape Foundation will be the beneficiary of her efforts in May as she launches a charity stream with a target goal of raising $500 for our mission.
MrsGothicc’s Humble Beginnings as a Gamer and a Streamer
MrsGothicc’s first console was a Nintendo 64, where she played classic titles like Donkey Kong 64, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario 64. Back then, gaming was a casual hobby that she engaged in off and on. However, when she bought an Xbox 360 to entertain herself in between her studies in college, it leveled up her love for gaming. She attributes this renewed passion to a game called Bioshock. It quickly became her favorite, sparking a long-term love affair with the franchise.
MrsGothicc entered into the streaming world in early 2020 as a way for her and her husband to have fun together during the global pandemic. With the world on lockdown, it became their shared hobby. The pair began with a simple setup, streaming directly from their Xbox One consoles to Microsoft’s now-retired platform, Mixer.
Through this experience, she quickly discovered that streaming wasn’t just about watching people play video games. It was about community, and the connections people formed over it.
“Meeting people through streaming is one of the biggest saving graces over the last year,” she said.
Using Her Streaming Channel as a Vehicle for Charity
After Mixer closed, MrsGothicc moved her channel over to Twitch where the vision and purpose for her channel began to take form.
“When I started to get into [streaming] more, I saw it as an opportunity to help people,” she said.
Prior to the pandemic, MrsGothicc actively volunteered with her local Ronald McDonald House Charity chapter, which helped to provide medical care and assistance to sick children and their families. However, health-related restrictions due to the pandemic put those effort on pause. Thus, she turned to streaming as a new avenue for giving back.
She set out to gain affiliation with Twitch in order to use her channel as a vehicle to raise funds for charity. Her goal was to upgrade her equipment and become a Twitch affiliate over the span of a year, but it happened much quicker. By December 2020, she achieved her objective.
Now she is a part of Sidequest, a team with more than 60 members ranging from newly affiliated streamers to seasoned streaming veterans. They conduct multiple charity events each month, both as a group and through individual efforts.
“It’s important to be a good ally – having a community that not only cares and supports others but also tries to do what they can to help those in need. Be the love and light we need in the world because that is what will make a difference.”
Join MrsGothicc on May 16 at 1:00PM EST to Raise Funds for Dreamscape Foundation
MrsGothicc will be holding a Fall Guys-themed charity stream benefitting Dreamscape Foundation’s mission on May 16, 2021. This 6-hour stream-a-thon will include multiple ways for you to earn prizes and interact with her via your donations:
- Donate $5: Receive a charity garland ring and Fall Guys sticker
- Donate $10: Choose the spice level for the “Spicy Bean Boozled” dare
- Donate $20: Choose a way to hinder MrsGothicc’s Fall Guys gameplay for 5 minutes by:
- Making her wear starry eye goggles
- Preventing her from swearing
- Make her play the game with her controller held upside-down
- Donate $50: Make her purposely lose the match by:
- Jumping off the map
- Standing still while others try to complete the map around her
The goal is to raise $500 for Dreamscape Foundation’s mission. Rewards for MrsGothicc’s community for achieving – or exceeding – these goals include a Dr. Thiccrespect E-Sport Stream (at $500 raised) or a stream where she cosplays as JarJar Blinks while playing Star Wars games (if $1,000 is raised).
To participate, tune into MrsGothicc’s Twitch channel Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 1:00PM EST.
« PreviousNext »Shellieface to Host Dreamscape’s next Charity Stream!
Shellieface to Host Dreamscape’s next Charity Stream!
Move over Baby Shark, there is a new family in town! Meet Shellieface, Papaface, Mamaface and Sisterface. This close-knit family is taking the Twitch community by storm and winning over the hearts of followers. Shellieface, legally known as Michelle Saliba, never thought her cute, but silly nickname would make the impact it has today. “Everything in the community now is Teamface. When I play Animal Crossing my island is called Islandface, or whenever we name characters it’s Somethingface and it’s like a huge joke,” she explained. “Even my parents joined Twitch and their handles are Papafacesays and Mamafacesays. It’s like a brand now.”
A Family Affair
With Shellie’s family being so supportive, not to mention involved in her streaming, you might be surprised to learn that she was not the first one to join the platform. “My sister joined Twitch first and has her own little handle, but we joke that she’s my number one hype woman,” Saliba laughed. “She’s the Michelle Obama to my Barack Obama.” The family support doesn’t end there. Michelle’s support also includes her brother-in-law, cousins and even her aunt. “I’m like this is so amazing that the family is getting involved,” she shared. “I love it.”Shining the Light
“Mental health is something that I think has been kind of underrated and under looked at. It’s so sad to see that not many people give it the foundation and the attention that it needs to keep us happy, moving and growing,” Shellieface explained. “I like to promote something where, you know, people can have their own light at the end of the tunnel.” The streamer shares multiple different options with her community, including one she uses herself called TalkSpace. With the added impact of the pandemic, as well as having a background in Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saliba made discussing the topic of Mental Health Awareness a priority within her community.Making a Difference the Michelle Way
Michelle has always felt a calling to help people, but because she holds onto what other people share she knew being a counselor was never an option. Then, she was introduced to life coaching. “I’m actually looking at applying to programs now to become a life coach,” she shared. “I want to integrate that into my channel, so that I am available to help people in my own safe capacity where it’s not detrimental to myself. I can still assess people and help them get where they need to go in their comfort zone.”Shellie the ASMRtist
Sharing resources and life coaching are not the only ways Shellieface provides comfort to her community. “ASMR, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is essentially a tingling sensation that you can get, it’s just kind of like a reflexive response to a particular sound,” the streamer informed. “How it’s done is you turn the gain up on the microphone, speak in a very soft voice or sometimes not at all, and you just kind of do repetitive, gentle sounds that normally could be considered annoying, but when it’s done correctly is very soothing.” For anyone unfamiliar with ASMR, compare it to playing a white noise machine at night because it helps you sleep.Friday Night Fun!
This Friday, May 7, join Dreamscape Foundation and Shellieface in raising money to provide accessibility for individuals living with disabilities during our charity stream event starting at 8 pm EST. “The most important aspect of [the stream] is the awareness and the knowledge,” Michelle explained. “Knowledge to me is exceptionally powerful because then people can research it more, ask how can I make this better, and it only takes a handful of people to look further into that foundation to help. That’s what promotes the change.” « PreviousNext »Glinda Who? The Charity Witch on Twitch is Here To Make Magic!
Glinda Who? The Charity Witch on Twitch is Here To Make Magic!
A parent’s job is never done; an old, yet timeless, saying. Growing up is full of valuable life lessons we learn from our parents. Not only is a parent a child’s first teacher, but in many ways also their last. Voice actor, charity streamer and cosplayer Tiffany Witcher credits her mother for molding her into the woman she is today. “She told me when I was very young that the moment you let someone’s negativity encourage you and you give up is the moment you fail,” Witcher shared. “She said you should never give up on something you want.” Myra, Tiffany’s mother, wanted her daughter to follow her passions regardless of her disability or anything else, and what better way than to share her own.
A Mother’s Influence
“We did this thing together called Pets on Wheels, where you take your dogs to places for people who are disabled, to hospitals and retirement homes, and things like that. You take your pets, and they basically get to touch a dog and be closer to an animal that they unfortunately don’t have the opportunity to be close to,” the voice actor explained. “At the time, I was very young, so I would just kind of just be off in the corner while she did her work, but as an adult I see like all the stuff that she’s done for so many amazing people and touched on so many people’s hearts.” Like many of us, Tiffany did not fully understand what her mother was doing until much later in her life, but when she did it changed her forever.The Greatest Good Is What We Do For One Another
On April 11, 2017, Tiffany lost her mother due to Lupus, a disease that she shared with her mother. It wasn’t until Myra’s funeral that she really understood just how many people her mother touched. “She was a teacher, but she not only impacted students, she impacted people,” the charity streamer described. “There was someone that came from Pets on Wheels, and Girl Scouts came that she watched after when they were kids, who are now adults. It was just an amazing realization to see like so many people there celebrating her life just really touched me, honestly.”Continuing The Legacy
As Tiffany continued coping with the death of her mother, she found herself going through some of her mom’s old things. Unbeknown to her, she found out that her mother was also active in charities. “I was like, man, she did so much for other people and gave so much of her time, so other people could have better. I want to do the same thing,” Witcher recalled. “At first it started out with charity tables I would set up at conventions for the Lupus Foundation, and educate about lupus because that’s the disease that I have and of course the disease that took my mother.”“You do charity just because you just want to do some good and not get anything in return.” – Tiffany Witcher
During this time, Tiffany was already an active streamer on Twitch who openly talked about accessibility and chronic illness on her channel. Wanting to do more on the platform, she decided to do a charity stream to raise money for the Lupus Foundation. Once she discovered the potential of charity streaming, the Lupus Witch, also known as the Charity Witch on Twitch, was born. “I stopped doing the tables, and really started to dig into streaming to the point where I made a personal goal to do three charities a month, expect for the Month of May because that’s Lupus Awareness Month,” the Charity Witch on Twitch shared. “My anniversary is going to be in May; I started charity streaming May 2019, so my two-year anniversary is coming up.This Is Just The Beginning
Two years down and forever to go. In just two years, Tiffany has become an active member of six amazing stream teams, raised over $26,000 for charities, and was featured on the front page of Twitch for Black History Month and will be featured for Global Accessibility Awareness Day. The Lupus Witch has accomplished so much in such a short period of time, and has big goals for the future. “I want to get partnered, so I can make a charity stream team of Vtubers from all different backgrounds, and come together to have Vtubing charity streams every month,” she explained. “It’s something that I really have been pushing towards these last couple months.”Accessibility Advocate
Talking about mental health and physical health is an important part of being a charity streamer, but for Tiffany Witcher it is personal. “Another reason why I talk about a lot of chronic illnesses and accessibility in games is because I notice things for myself that need to be changed on the platform. I suffer from Lupus, Epilepsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren Syndrome,” she informed. “There’s so much that needs to be fought for on Twitch whether it’s the trans tag, warning tags, or just the safety and well-being of the viewers and the streamer.”Join Us For A Wicked Good Time
Dreamscape is bewitched to announce that we are partnering with the Charity Witch on Twitch herself, Tiffany Witcher, for a 12-hour charity stream this Saturday, May 1, starting at 7:30 am EST to provide accessibility for those living with disabilities. “I’m doing this in memory of a woman that did this basically as long as I knew her as a kid,” the Charity Witch opened up. “I’m doing this in her memory, fighting for her honor, and I know what I am doing is right. I know that deep down in my heart.” Prepare for fun, laughs, games and a few surprises from the witch herself. « PreviousNext »Skating Over Setbacks: The Kyle Hilliard Story
Skating Over Setbacks: The Kyle Hilliard Story
Sports have always played an important role in American culture. They have the power to unite the nation while teaching morality, ambition and integrity. American children are exposed to sports early on, and many kids begin specializing in a sport by five or six years old. For an athlete to find success they are expected to look and act a certain way, and those who don’t are seen as underdogs. The best success stories involve breaking barriers and defying the odds. Just ask these famous former underdogs; Willie O’Ree, Shaquem Griffin, Rudy Ruettiger, Jim Abbott, Jeremy Lin, and hopefully one day, Kyle Hilliard.
Overcoming the Odds
Born nine and a half weeks premature, weighing only 4 pounds 8 ounces, left Kyle Hilliard with some developmental setbacks. “I was born with some nervous system and coordination issues, which resulted in me not being able to walk around two years old, so my mom took me out on the ice,” he recalled. “She took me ice skating to teach me natural balance, coordination, build up that leg strength, and before long I started ice skating. After I started ice skating, I learned how to walk. It’s kind of funny and went a little backwards.” From that point on, ice skating remained an important part of Hilliard’s therapy.Practice Makes Perfect
As Kyle continued to ice skate, his strength, coordination and balance kept improving. One day while at the ice rink, he saw kids playing ice hockey. Like any child would do next, he asked his mother if he could join them. Her answer was the first of many no’s that Hilliard would encounter throughout his sports career. She told me I had to get better at ice skating before I can start playing, so at four years old I begged her every single day to take me to the ice rink,” he shared. “Then at five years old, I finally started playing ice hockey, the sport that would become my passion in life.”
Love of the Game
Growing up, Kyle played in the local house league due to financial limitations, which meant he got one practice and one game a week for a little over half a year. When you compare that to players without financial restrictions there becomes a huge developmental gap. He explains, “their parents are paying 10 – 15 – $25,000 a year for their kids to get 48 game seasons, three-to-four practices a week, specialized coaching, scouting, tournaments and Canadian tournaments.” When Hilliard got to high school, he knew he didn’t receive the same proper direction and development as his competition, but he had the passion.Four-Year Transformation
For Kyle’s freshman year of high school, he made the varsity hockey team, but he never played a game. “I sat on the bench, which just motivated me to keep working harder, overcome that skill gap, that development gap, overcome everything, just keep working harder,” he confessed. “Then sophomore year I finally got my shot on varsity, and junior and senior year I was an alternate captain on the team.” Not only did this left wing go from benchwarmer to captain, but his team went from a 3-18 season his freshman year to placing second in the championships his senior year.Showing Up
After high school, Hilliard went to Seton Hall University and played for the American Collegiate Hockey Association his first year. As happy as he was to be playing hockey, he knew he had more to give and started looking for other ways to continue to evolve in the sport. Then he found the New Jersey Rockets Organization and saw they were about to have an open three-day tryout. “First day of tryouts coach tells me you’re not gonna make the team and tells me to go home,” he admitted. “I told him I know I’m not going to make the team. but just let me skate for the extra practice.” Kyle not only returned the next day, but after tryouts ended the coach invited him to return for the third day. “I go back on the third day, and I made the team,” he proudly shared. “I went from being fourth line walk on to top six player on the team and captain.”A Big Change
During his season with the New Jersey Rocket Organization, Hilliard spoke to scouts from the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild. “They told me that they loved my skating speed and that I still have things to develop on, but, you know, skating speed was what I was marketing myself on,” he explained. Finally, after overcoming all of life’s setbacks it seemed like things were looking up. Then two crucial things happened. “The first thing was a small shoulder operation to fix a ligament that got torn,” Kyle shared. “Then the other thing was I had amassed 72 credits from Seton Hall University that ruined my chances of playing NCAA hockey because the eligibility cut off is 18 credits and you start losing playing years of eligibility.”Age is Just a Number
Hilliard started playing ACHA hockey again once he healed from surgery and continued to play, develop, and improve over the next few years. “I had proven that I can overcome that skill gap, that I was getting up there, that I could do all these amazing things, but I just ran out of time because hockey has an age out at 21,” he told. “Everyone’s looking at me and saying you’re past 21, you’re too old, but hockey is a sport that should be for everyone no matter how old you are, where you came from, your background. It should be one of the sports where if you really want it, you should be able to make it happen.”Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Since first implementing the “Hockey is For Everyone” campaign in February of 2019, the National Hockey League has continued to use their global influence to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities. “They’re saying in their campaign that, you know, race, gender, sexual orientation, finance, and disabilities doesn’t matter; that the sport is for everyone. Well, here’s their chance to prove it. Give me a shot,” Kyle challenged. “I got the skating speed to compete with the best players in the world, just to give me a shot, and I can prove to them that I can.” Hilliard is doing all of this not just for himself, but to help pave the way for others.
Let’s Go Viral
“It’s been everything. Hockey gave me the ability to walk. Hockey gave me drive and passion, so I just never quit,” Kyle admitted. For the past twenty years Hilliard has played hockey, but until recently he hadn’t sharing his talent in the social media world. There is one time lapse video in particular that really showcases his speed. “We did a skating video of me doing an all -star skating lap, and I did it in 14.16 seconds,” he boasted. “If you were to put that on the NHL speed skating competition, I would have come in fifth place and that’s all self-made.” You can see this video and many others by following Hilliard on his personal Instagram or TikTok.
Believe It, See It, Achieve It
Winners never quit and quitters never win. In Kyle’s own words, “no matter your challenges you can you can overcome them and you can thrive,” he shared. “It might take a little more time, but it is possible.” The Kyle Hilliard Story is far from over. More committed than ever, Hilliard enlisted the help of world-renowned hockey coach, Vladi Kouroedov, and has been training with Kouroedov since February. With his improved skills, Kyle hopes to get the opportunity to try out for the ECHL next season. Hilliard’s story is a great reminder that with passion, work, and determination you can achieve anything. What do you want your story to say? « PreviousNext »Mist Haven is Going the Distance for our Disabled Community!
Mist Haven is Going the Distance for our Disabled Community!
At a young age, we are not only taught to share, but that sharing = caring. This idea plays a crucial role in a child’s development, but fails to teach the other side of sharing. The truth is that sharing is hard; it takes a lot of self-acceptance and courage. The more difficult the story, the harder it is to share. When someone does open up about their own struggles, they become a shining light for others. One of these lights is Lauren Donlevy, better known as GhostHostLauren, who is the Assistant Head of Admissions for the Twitch charity stream team Mist Haven.
Mist Haven: The Origin Story
Mist Haven was created in October of 2020 by Donlevy’s good friend, not mention Twitch Partner, Lexicat. “When she ended up getting partnered in October, one of the big things that she wanted to do as a streamer with a chronic illness was start a team to help raise money for charities or people that might need quality of life upgrades,” Ghost Host Lauren explained. “And to continue the conversation about ending stigmatization with having a chronic illness, whether it be mental or physical.” Lexicat and Lauren have both been open about their own struggles and through the Mist Haven team they are not only able to talk about their experiences, but raise money for others in need.One Day At A Time
“It is actually still fairly new to me; I was only formally diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety disorder, and everything after my sister passed away in 2017,” Ghost Host shared. “I do talk about how I overcame that grief, my own coping mechanisms; but you know, time does heal a lot of wounds as much as I hate to say it.” She has also been open about the fact that at first her coping mechanisms weren’t the healthiest, and how it took time. Donlevy is a firm believer in the mantra, “One Day At A Time,” for both physical and mental health.Community is Everything
For Ghost Host Lauren, the best part about streaming is the community. She loves being able to connect with people and ultimately build friendships. “Despite being a huge goof and just doing silly things on stream, I hope that people feel comfortable being serious and talking to me because I can absolutely flip the switch,” she confessed. “I want people to feel like they can watch my stream and have that sense of comfort and laugh; but then also feel like they can reach out to me if they need anything.”59-Hour Charity Stream
Did someone say charity stream-a-thon? Join Dreamscape Foundation as we partner with Mist Haven for their second ever charity stream-a-thon! Mist Haven is kicking off their 59-hour stream-a-thon with the amazing Ghost Host Lauren this Friday, April 16, at 1 pm EST. “It’s just a big raid train of community and charity,” Lauren described. “We have it going through the night, so really no matter what time it is you will find someone on this stream.” « PreviousNext »RabbitHouse Reaches New Heights for Dreamscape’s Charity Stream
RabbitHouse Reaches New Heights for Dreamscape’s Charity Stream
Can playing video games really rot your brain? For gamers who grew up in the 80s or 90s this question dominated the minds of parents and teachers alike. In the case of Connor Cunningham, better known as RabbitHouse, playing video games, more specifically Pokémon Silver, gave him the desire to learn how to read at a young age. “I guess that most kids would just sort of mess through all the text and get past it, but I was so into it that I was like I have to know everything, I have to be able to do everything,” Cunningham recalled. “Every word, ‘dad, what does this word mean? Mom, what does this word mean?’ Eventually it got to the point where I was able to play it on my own.” Not only did video games positively affect Connor’s life intellectually, but spiritually as well.
“Do you always need a reason to help somebody?” –Ash, Pokémon
RabbitHouse’s love for video games led him to watch gaming streams. “When I was a kid there was this group called the Speed Gamers, and they were trying to complete all the Pokémon games that were out at that point,” he shared. “I thought it was the coolest thing ever to go through all of that and raise money for St. Jude while they do it.” Eventually, Connor’s passion and interest in charity streams was too strong to ignore. “It got to a point where I was thinking, I could do this,” he recalled. “I’m confident in my ability to put together something like this, and really do something special.” As a charity streamer, Cunningham hopes that each stream he does is a little bit bigger than the last one to the point where he can eventually really make a big difference.Strength in Numbers
“The decision to start streaming as my way to make a difference comes from my thought process of what can I do that is the most immediate that can make the most impact right now?” RabbitHouse explained. “I have this moment that I am in right now and I won’t get this moment back, so what can I do to do the most with this moment?” Connor admits that the experience of COVID-19 last year left him frustrated in wanting to make a positive change, but feeling like he couldn’t make a difference. “The way you are going to do it is by coming together with other people, and coming together makes you all much stronger than you could be individually,” he stated. “I want people to know that they can be a part of something like this.”Sky’s the Limit
Cunningham has been defying the odds since day one. “I was born with a congenital heart defect called transposition of the great vessels, so basically when I was a baby all the tubes in my heart were kind of tied up in the wrong way” he described. “If I had been born 20 years earlier the surgery that fixed me wasn’t around at that point, so I wouldn’t have even made it.” Being born with this defect caused Connor to perceive himself as delicate or fragile, but as he got older his perception changed. “I made it through being a kid and I’m still here. I have a shot here,” RabbitHouse shared. “I’m at a point now where I am playing with house money, and everything from day one has just been icing on the cake.”Battle Royale for Accessibility
For his third official Charity Stream, RabbitHouse will be teaming up with Dreamscape Foundation this Sunday, February 21, from 7 pm – 10 pm EST to raise money for accessibility for individuals living with disabilities. “Unfortunately, a lot of people in that type of situation are brushed aside in today’s world,” Connor shared. “It’s an opportunity to step up and help out in a way that I haven’t done yet, so I am really excited to work with Dreamscape Foundation on this.” Cunningham will be playing the Battle Royale game Eternal Return. Time to put your strength, ability and wit to the test. « PreviousNext »Serreph is Dreamscape’s Own Guardian Angel for Charity Stream
Serreph is Dreamscape’s Own Guardian Angel for Charity Stream
To quote the great Dr. Seuss, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” For Brian Martin standing out was not always that simple. “I have the most common legal name in the world, so much so that there are twenty-six people with my first and last name in my city,” Brian Martin explained. Martin may not stand out in his Missouri town, but in the world of streaming he is one of a kind.