Carney’s New Program Seeks to Help Children

The photo album horrified Charger kicker John Carney. Page after page, he recalled, of children with physical deformities.

“Some of these pictures are so difficult to look at,” he said. “Insurance doesn’t help because they chalk up the surgery as cosmetic, so these kids are sentenced to a whole life like this. It’s a terrible cross to bear.

“You see the kids that do have the surgery and they have grins from ear to ear. It’s obvious their self-esteem and confidence are boosted.”

A few months after looking at the picture of Stephen Osburn, 8, who was born without a left ear and chin problems, Carney was having his picture taken with the smiling youngster.

“He has an ear now and he’s a whole new kid,” said Shelley Osburn, Stephen’s mother. “You can hardly control him; he think he’s just great now.”

So far Carney has provided only moral support to the Osburns. He was there throughout the day with the family as the youngster underwent the second of four surgical procedures to give him an ear.

In a few weeks, however, Carney will begin raising money for Osburn and youngsters throughout the San Diego community who are in need of such reconstructive surgery.

Carney’s KickStart for Kids program, much like former Charger Rolf Benirschke’s Kicks For Critters campaign, will allow fans to pledge money for every point Carney kicks this season. The funds raised will benefit Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a non-profit organization providing medical care to children with physical deformities.

“They are in the process of creating an ear for Stephen,” Carney said. “After that they will work on his jaw. His chin bones have not completely grown in.

“Now you would think the kid would be just terrified, but you know what--he’s excited as can be. His mother says he marks off on the calendar the days until his next surgery because he’s so excited about getting his ear.”

Medical experts in Houston had advised the Osburns that nothing could be done for Stephen until he was 18, and at that time, they said, it would take thousands of dollars. Diane Miyoshi, a teacher at Rincon Elementary in Escondido, however, alerted the Osburn’s to the free medical care provided by the Fresh Start organization.

“On the day I was there with Stephen there were 30 volunteers working through the weekend,” Carney said. “This organization has provided over $500,000 in medical services with a budget of $70,000. It’s fantastic what they can do for these kids.”

Carney has donated a pair of Super Bowl tickets to the KickStart program, and anyone joining the effort will receive an opportunity to win an all-expenses paid trip for two to this year’s Super Bowl.

“I knew coming in this season that I was facing a tough situation after last year,” said Carney, who has been battling Carlos Huerta for the opportunity to be the Chargers’ kicker. “But I felt if I waited another year to start up a program like this because I was a little nervous about my job that we would be missing out on an opportunity help some children.

“So I thought, why not have some guts and proceed with this program and give it a shot. I want to help children, and the kids and their families are so appreciative. The courage of these children just amazes me.”