The Opportunity To Feel Like A Star

Zachary Cline first visited Le Bonheur Children's Hospital when he was 1 month old to be treated for spina bifida and meningitis. At that time, he had a shunt placed in his brain to relieve pressure and drain excess fluid.

Expert care at Le Bonheur has been a consistent presence in Zachary’s life. Throughout his childhood, he returned to Le Bonheur every six months for checkups with his neurology care team and underwent three shunt revision surgeries.

Zachary’s visits to Le Bonheur became more enjoyable when Seacrest Studios opened in the hospital in 2023. During Thanksgiving that year, Zachary was a patient in the hospital. He participated in a game show broadcast on the television in his room from Seacrest Studios and won a prize. Throughout his three-day stay, he visited the studio every day and was invited by staff members to participate in the shows they were airing.

Zachary’s grandmother, Terrie Kidd, watched her grandson become animated and engaged, momentarily forgetting why he was in the hospital. When Zachary returned several months later for a shunt revision surgery, Seacrest Studios staff invited him to host his own show.

“Zachary is developmentally delayed, and hosting this show at Seacrest Studios at Le Bonheur has given him confidence in interacting with others. It has been an amazing experience for him,” Kidd said.

Today, Zachary returns to Le Bonheur monthly to host his show at Seacrest Studios, where he engages with other patients and entertains families.

“It’s not just Zachary I’ve seen the staff at Seacrest Studios help,” Kidd said. “I have witnessed them transform very shy children who are connected to oxygen machines, IV poles or who require aides into contestants and TV stars. They have brought joy to patients, and it truly moves my heart.”