This video debuted at the "It's Magic!" Night of Independence Gala held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in the Union Station Grand Plaza.
The video features The Whole Person CEO Julie DeJean and David Copperfield who together organized Project Magic, 37 years ago, as an innovative program which uses magic as a form of therapy for people with physical, psychological, and social disabilities.
Project Magic was developed by David Copperfield, the world renowned magician, as a result of repeated letters he received from an aspiring magician. Judging from the handwriting, David believed the magician to be an elementary school student. Soon after, David learned that he was actually a young man in his twenties who lived life in a wheelchair. The childlike handwriting was a result of his disability.
Using the art of magic, this young man had more abilities – not less abilities – than the average person. With that realization, David thought of a way to inspire, reach, and help other people with disabilities. That way was Project Magic.
David, along with Julie DeJean, OTR, organized Project Magic in 1981 as an innovative way to help individuals with disabilities during their therapy process. In 1982, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) formally endorsed Project Magic.
Project Magic has since been developed, implemented, and guided to international status. Project Magic programs have been established in nearly every state in the USA and in 30 foreign countries. It has provided motivation, enhanced self-esteem, and increased hope while contributing an alternative approach for therapeutic gains to thousands of individuals of all ages.
Connect with The Whole Person to see how we are working to bring Project Magic to the KCMO Area in the future. For details on Project Magic, visit projectmagic.org.
Video filmed and produced by Lisa Marie Evans.
