8-year-old girl to help raise awareness for special-needs children

SALINAS, Calif.

An 8-year-old Salinas girl living with cerebral palsy will help raise awareness and funds for children in need of medical treatment in California as the Children's Miracle Network's "Miracle Child" of 2014.

Molly Hall, a third-grader who is at the top of her class at University Park Elementary School, will be named to the post in an announcement scheduled for 4 p.m. today at the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System's board of directors meeting.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is an international nonprofit that raises money for 170 member hospitals in Canada and the U.S. that treat sick children.

Melissa Gross, the program coordinator for the network at SVMHS, said Molly was initially selected as the hospital's "miracle child" before being nominated to be the program ambassador for the entire state.

Molly, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3, has been a patient at SVMHS for many years, Gross said.

While Molly has difficulty speaking, she has learned to use a computer and is able to communicate well with those around her. She is enrolled in a regular third-grade class and excels in her academics, Gross said.

Despite her compromised motor skills, Molly enjoys playing kickball and has even gone tubing with her family.

Gross said Molly is eager to try new things no matter how challenging, and that is what makes her an inspiration to other children and an ideal ambassador for the program.

Molly's father, Don Hall, said Molly's outgoing personality, "bright smile, perseverance and never-give-up attitude" landed her the role as the program ambassador.

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8-year-old girl to help raise awareness for special-needs children