WALK & ROLL FOR DISABILITIES Moving toward common goal Hundreds at event help raise funds for Munroe-Meyer Institute's adult disability programming

A chance to rub elbows with a major "Star Wars" character caused Daniel Holm's face to light up Sunday at the Meyer Foundation's Walk & Roll for Disabilities at Oak View Mall.

Daniel, 19, appeared to be having a ball while walking with Rey, a female hero from the "Star Wars" film franchise. Also in attendance were Darth Vader's stormtroopers from the 501st Legion, a "Star Wars" costuming club.

"Daniel kept lifting his (Meyer) Foundation shirt to show off his 'Star Wars' T-shirt underneath whenever we passed other 'Star Wars' representatives," said Daniel's father, Joe Holm of Omaha. "He was having so much fun with all his buddies there."

The Meyer Foundation's event was attended by 410 people and raised about $44,000 for adult disability programming at the Munroe-Meyer Institute of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, said spokeswoman Mary McHale. She is married to Holm and is Daniel's mother. The money raised, McHale said, will help clients of the institute enjoy social opportunities including cooking classes, dance and swim lessons, group outings, horseback riding and reading clubs.

Other highlights at the event included the antics of clowns, face painting, a disc jockey and photos by Party Pics to Go. Participants also received a continental breakfast provided by Family Fare Supermarkets and were eligible for prizes, including an iPad.

The Rubber Chicken Orchestra performed lively tunes such as "Yes, Sir, That's My Baby," on ukuleles accompanied by a washboard and drums. The orchestra grew out of Omaha's Wild Clown-dum group, said member Judy Quest. Her daughter, Melanie, 36, a client of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, plays drums in the orchestra.

"Melanie loves the staff at the institute more than anything, and they are amazing people," Quest said. "She likes the cooking and she likes the art. (The institute) brings in students from all over the country to work with these adults who have disabilities and they have lots of activities, whether it's the cooking club or a Saturday out in the community at shows or sporting events."

Quest said one of the biggest things the staff at the institute did was to help her learn how to allow her daughter to "be a kid" when she was growing up. That freed up Quest to take her other kids to their activities.

"They taught me how to let go a little bit," she said. "I was so afraid things might happen to her, but Melanie, who has cerebral palsy, was able to grow so much on her own with their help. We like to say, and it's so true, that people with disabilities and people without disabilities are more alike than different."

kevin.cole@owh.com, 402-444-1272