Hi! I’m Kandu and I’m the CHASA mascot. I wear a brace on my foot because it helps me walk, run, swim and do all the fun stuff that penguins like to do. I hope that some day I’ll be able to live at your house! I might even be at your house RIGHT NOW. If I am, please help me out because I forgot to take my brace with me. Can you make a brace and put it on my foot for me? I want it to look just like YOUR brace.
Kandu’s History
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) board was searching for a mascot and when we were inspired by a very special penguin who lives at the Santa Barbara zoo. His name is Lucky, and he wears a special shoe like the ones worn by so many of our kids with hemiplegia. We were excited to hear about Lucky and how much he loves life and the CHASA board decided to adopt a penguin as our mascot. But, our penguin mascot needed a name. The father of a child with hemiplegia, came up with Kandu’s name. This name was selected because of the “can do” attitude held by so many of the children, teens, and adults who have hemiplegia or hemiparesis.
Past Kandu Projects
CHASA sent 500 free plush Kandu penguins to children with a diagnosis of pediatric stroke or hemiplegia to give them a cuddly friend to snuggle when facing a difficult medical procedure or maybe just having a hard time in school or with bullying.
CHASA published and sent 1300 free Kandu books to children and libraries. Sadly, the publisher is no longer in business and our Kandu books are no longer available.
Where can I learn more about Lucky the penguin?
Penguin With a Funky Shoe Video by Parry Gripp
A Special Shoe for a “Lucky” Penguin
Lucky’s shoe made by Teva
