I first met Aaron when he was a brand new Kindergarten student entering my classroom in 2001...a shy and non-English-speaking 5-year old. Quickly I learned that his shyness was just a little phase...and, as he grew and passed through our school system, I was lucky enough to, once again, work with him in Grades 6-8 as his middle school ESL teacher. What a hilarious and motivated student he was! Of course, he had this amazing hair and middle school attitude that was sometimes challenging for a teacher. He had started tinkering with photography and was truly into the music of youth. Aaron was everyone's friend and moved through the remainder of his public school career with ease. He successfully sailed through high school, focusing on the Arts and strong friendships...his photography skills were top-notch and he eventually began his own small business photographing classmates, local scenery, and activities throughout our town.  His Facebook pages were full of beauty and he even began earning money for his work. He knew his focus for a future career would be photography...and then, everything stopped dead...
On May 31, 2014, Aaron's world completely shifted; meningitis.  In a matter of a couple of days he went from DJ-ing local dances and preparing for his high school graduation just a few days away to struggling to breathe in the ICU in our local hospital.  It is almost a miracle that he lived through the massive explosive illness. The blood vessels in his eyes burst. His skin became completely splotchy and blackened. His fingers looked as though they had been held over an open flame, burned and shriveled. The battle was terrifying and, in the end, Aaron remained alive, but lost both of his legs just below the knee and 7 of his fingers.


Now, amazingly, due to his own personal will, strength, and with the support of our community, he is up and at-em, attending Linn-Benton Community College! He is back in the active young adult scene, mixing tunes and hosting amazing dances and concerts, using his mixing skills to create original songs and rhythms.
Aaron's biggest battle remains; mobility.
He has received prosthetics for his legs and is learning to walk again. His wheelchair, however, makes movement through a college campus and about our city quite a challenge.. Imagine the struggle of Oregon weather, combined with having to get from one end of a campus to the other in a short timespan. The dream of an electric chair. It is what he needs in order to continue to remain active and focused on continuing his education and moving into a profession. He is fit and healthy, outgoing and supportive of his hard-working parents. He loves and nurtures a close relationship with his younger sister, Debbie. An electric wheelchair will ease the pain of mobility and give him access to more in life. 
Because of where Aaron is at this point in life, access to money for living is scarce. With a $5000 goal, he can select the chair of his choice and put money toward his ongoing education and cost of living.