Von Schamann gets a kick out of advocating for children with special needs – Tulsa World

Uwe von Schamann knows a lot about pressure.

Von Schamann, a place kicker, helped the Oklahoma Sooners to the 1975 National Championship, and as a pro, helped the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowls. Hes best known for The Kick, a game-winning 41-yard field goal that gave OU a last-second win over Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 1977. During a time out, before the kick, the Buckeye crowd started chanting Block that kick! Block that kick! and von Schamann started directing the crowd with his hands like an orchestra composer. The kick went straight down the middle for the 29-28 Sooner win.

Now, 40 years later, hes directing a different team with a different set of pressures. Von Schamann has teamed up with The Childrens Center, a rehabilitation hospital in Bethany, Okla.

Von Schamann was the speaker at the Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce Open Forum, Monday, July 10, at the Tulsa Tech campus, explaining the history and current functions of the private, non-profit rehabilitation hospital.

After his time in the NFL, von Schamann toured a medical facility for individuals with special needs, and he knew he had to get involved. Since then, von Schamann has become an advocate for children with complex medical needs.

The Childrens Center helps children in need of complex care and pediatric medical rehabilitation through specialty services and therapy.

Were the bridge between the (intensive care unit) and going home. We get kids from The Childrens Hospital and Saint Francis Hospital. When they get out of ICU they have to go somewhere, von Schamann said.

Located just west of Oklahoma City, the hospital has 120 beds with around 350 inpatients and 2,500 outpatients each year. They have a staff of 650 and around 1,200 health care students from colleges and vo-tech schools also help.

Soon, the hospital will move into a new $22 million facility that will allow more patients for treatment. All of their funding comes through grants and donations, and their "Miracles on 39th Street Gala," a black-tie optional gala will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the campus.

The hospital treats children with cerebral palsy, brain injuries or strokes, spinal cord injuries, genetic disorders, lung conditions, feeding difficulties and severe epilepsy.

Von Schamann said one of the more popular types of therapy is music therapy.

Its amazing what music can do. The patient might be non-verbal, but the music gets them moving and they start humming, he said.

There are tears shed at the hospital from parents and from the staff, but von Schamann said the facility is not about sadness. Each patient can have between 5-10 caregivers, who go to great lengths to ensure the childs health and happiness.

Its a happy place, not a sad place, he said.

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Von Schamann gets a kick out of advocating for children with special needs - Tulsa World