Wheelchair Van for Cole & Jack
Donation protected
Eleven-year old Cole and ten-year old Jack are brothers who enjoy talking to their friends on face-time and playing video games inside their home. Cole and Jack would much rather be enjoying the summer days running, swimming, and riding bikes with their friends. Cole and Jack will never run, swim or ride bikes with their friends. They are unable to do what their friends can do because they both suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. DMD is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. The muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders will weaken first and later, the skeletal muscles in the arms, legs and trunk. The calves also become enlarged. Children diagnosed with DMD will lose their ability to walk, use their upper body strength and may even need respiratory support. There is no cure for this disease that typically affects boys.
Cole was diagnosed with DMD at the age of 2. Jack was diagnosed with DMD at 10 months old. As they grow up and as time passes, they both experience increased difficulty in their daily life. In the Spring of 2016, Jack had an unexpected fall at school and unfortunately, fractured his hip. His life changed drastically at that moment. He had to use a wheelchair because he no longer had the upper body strength to stand up and sit down on his own. Although he can walk slightly, he can no longer climb into a car. In the summer of 2016, Cole fell while playing with his friends and unexpectedly broke his hip. He underwent extensive surgery and now too is required to use a wheelchair.
Cole and Jack both have injured their hips. They have increased muscle weakness in their pelvic area. They have begun to lose their upper body strength. They have enlarged calves which require daily stretching. They also take a lot of medications. They even have to pay out of pocket for their main medication, a steroid from England. Instead of these boys having fun learning how to ride bikes, Cole and Jack have learned to ride wheelchairs. Not only has their daily life changed drastically but it has for their parents, Lisa and Joey.
Lisa is a devout elementary school teacher. She is a passionate educator who instills a love of learning in all of her students. She has been committed to shaping the lives of not only her own children but to the children of River Vale, NJ. Lisa has been a teacher for 19 years and is a constant giver of love and knowledge to her Roberge School students. Joey is a Clifton, NJ native. He works as a HVAC installation foreman and mechanic for Comfort Control Systems. He is a hardworking man. He is friendly and always attends to the demands of his customers as well as his family. Lisa and Joey are well loved by their family, friends and coworkers. Lisa and Joey are wonderful parents who are raising loving boys with DMD. Lisa and Joey have a difficult life. They are taking care of two boys who can’t walk and go play with their friends on their own. They need constant attention and assistance. Lisa and Joey are doing their very best to provide for their children but their daily life is a struggle physically, emotionally and financially.
This year has been life changing for the Nilsson family. They are no longer able to leave their home when they want because they do not have a wheelchair accessible van. Lisa and Joey do own a minivan but it is incompatible with a lift gate. They have researched wheelchair accessible vans and the cost of it, is too, a struggle.
Cole and Jack undergo constant treatments. They have a team of doctors they visit to help them with available treatments. Cole and Jack need to visit their pediatrician, physical therapist, cardiologist, and pulmonologist. Cole and Jack make twice a year visits to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They also visit John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland once a month for treatment. They sometimes have to rent a vehicle for the long trip. Cole and Jack must visit these doctors and hospitals in order to maintain a comfortable life as well as prolong their life. It is imperative they have accessibility to their van. At this time, we are asking for your support in helping Cole and Jack receive funds to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.
The Nilsson Family will be extremely grateful for any donation amount. Please donate whatever you can give! Any amount will be so appreciated and such a help for this beautiful family in need. It is time to give because as the Beatles say, “we get by with a little help from our friends”! The Nilsson Family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts!
Aside from donations, we are asking for you to pray for Cole and Jack as well as spread the word about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which has no cure and is fatal.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. DMD is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. The muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders will weaken first and later, the skeletal muscles in the arms, legs and trunk. The calves also become enlarged. Children diagnosed with DMD will lose their ability to walk, use their upper body strength and may even need respiratory support. There is no cure for this disease that typically affects boys.
Cole was diagnosed with DMD at the age of 2. Jack was diagnosed with DMD at 10 months old. As they grow up and as time passes, they both experience increased difficulty in their daily life. In the Spring of 2016, Jack had an unexpected fall at school and unfortunately, fractured his hip. His life changed drastically at that moment. He had to use a wheelchair because he no longer had the upper body strength to stand up and sit down on his own. Although he can walk slightly, he can no longer climb into a car. In the summer of 2016, Cole fell while playing with his friends and unexpectedly broke his hip. He underwent extensive surgery and now too is required to use a wheelchair.
Cole and Jack both have injured their hips. They have increased muscle weakness in their pelvic area. They have begun to lose their upper body strength. They have enlarged calves which require daily stretching. They also take a lot of medications. They even have to pay out of pocket for their main medication, a steroid from England. Instead of these boys having fun learning how to ride bikes, Cole and Jack have learned to ride wheelchairs. Not only has their daily life changed drastically but it has for their parents, Lisa and Joey.
Lisa is a devout elementary school teacher. She is a passionate educator who instills a love of learning in all of her students. She has been committed to shaping the lives of not only her own children but to the children of River Vale, NJ. Lisa has been a teacher for 19 years and is a constant giver of love and knowledge to her Roberge School students. Joey is a Clifton, NJ native. He works as a HVAC installation foreman and mechanic for Comfort Control Systems. He is a hardworking man. He is friendly and always attends to the demands of his customers as well as his family. Lisa and Joey are well loved by their family, friends and coworkers. Lisa and Joey are wonderful parents who are raising loving boys with DMD. Lisa and Joey have a difficult life. They are taking care of two boys who can’t walk and go play with their friends on their own. They need constant attention and assistance. Lisa and Joey are doing their very best to provide for their children but their daily life is a struggle physically, emotionally and financially.
This year has been life changing for the Nilsson family. They are no longer able to leave their home when they want because they do not have a wheelchair accessible van. Lisa and Joey do own a minivan but it is incompatible with a lift gate. They have researched wheelchair accessible vans and the cost of it, is too, a struggle.
Cole and Jack undergo constant treatments. They have a team of doctors they visit to help them with available treatments. Cole and Jack need to visit their pediatrician, physical therapist, cardiologist, and pulmonologist. Cole and Jack make twice a year visits to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They also visit John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland once a month for treatment. They sometimes have to rent a vehicle for the long trip. Cole and Jack must visit these doctors and hospitals in order to maintain a comfortable life as well as prolong their life. It is imperative they have accessibility to their van. At this time, we are asking for your support in helping Cole and Jack receive funds to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.
The Nilsson Family will be extremely grateful for any donation amount. Please donate whatever you can give! Any amount will be so appreciated and such a help for this beautiful family in need. It is time to give because as the Beatles say, “we get by with a little help from our friends”! The Nilsson Family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts!
Aside from donations, we are asking for you to pray for Cole and Jack as well as spread the word about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) which has no cure and is fatal.
Organizer and beneficiary
ReneCarmen Pizzano
Organizer
Nutley, NJ
Lisa Nilsson
Beneficiary
