Chelsea's Special Needs Equipment
Donation protected
Hi. My name is Veleria Fabiszak; proud mom of 5 amazing kids and military wife. I have spent years advocating for disability awareness and the importance of inclusion while also helping to raise funds for universally accessible playgrounds, Rett Syndrome and other special causes close to my heart and to my family such as kids' school & church. It's not easy for me to ask for funds that are truly personal on behalf of my eldest daughter, Chelsea without it having a benefit to many others as well. Chelsea is now 24 years old and has Lennox Gastaut Syndrome; severe seizure disorder & Rett Syndrome; a rare neurological disorder almost exclusively affects females often confused with that of Cerebral Palsy or autism. Chelsea is nonverbal but speaks volumes through her big beautiful eyes & My Tobii communication device. Chelsea is unique to the diagnosis in that she was high functioning with slight delays in speech until the age of 8 when she began to have seizures. She was the absolute happiest girl you would meet that loved to sing country songs, swing, do puzzles and had no fear. 
Within 6 months, Chelsea lost all motor ability; walking, talking, eating and hand use with no explanation as to the cause until several months later though, not the normal onset of Rett Syndrome. She was in hospice care not expected to survive to her 9th birthday. Needless to say, Chelsea is a fighter and has a strong will to inspire others with the help of country music and having opportunities of inclusion with her peers and siblings. She was a cheerleader in high school, currently anbd honorary member of the SDSU Dance Team, loves Miracle League Baseball, swinging at our local universally accessible playground spearheaded by her sister, Emma, attends country concerts and simply enjoys being surrounded by her community, family and peers.
We are trying to raise funds to help Chelsea get her own personal fitted full body support Beach Bomber Wheelchair that is designed by Box Wheelchairs that will help get her onto the beach, into the ocean and onto trails that are otherwise too difficult to access and keep her at a distance from her siblings when camping as a family or simply going on a hike in our beautiful city of San Diego that has become our home thanks to the military.
Chelsea also requires a new therapuetic adjustable bed. Her dad and I often climb into bed with her, especially when night nursing is unavailable or simply during the day when she is having an off day. Her younger siblings also like to climb into bed with her to hang out to watch a movie or many of her favorite country music videos on CMT. Her current bed is 15 years old, hospital style twin which does not quite fit the double occupancy without us hanging off the bed nor has the comfort she so needs and deserves for our occasional "sleepover" as she can never be unsupervised due to the symptoms of Rett Syndrome and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.
The Beach Bomber Wheelchair will take at least two months to create and design once we have the funds. We are an active family that would love the opportunity to take Chelsea for walks on the beach, dip into the ocean (with a wetsuit), strolls along trails into the beautiful hills and mountains, camp sites and national parks based on our schedule and her desire to see the sunset along the beach, attend a beach bon fire easily, safely and with comfort in her own personal fitted chair.
All this after having a good night's sleep and allowing her comfort on her off days that keep her in bed while allowing her family members to climb into bed with her to hold her and provide her security to heal and feel the love of her family and friends.
Being so active, involved with her community and being at home with family has been the miracle that has kept her fighting and continuing to celebrate birthdays along with her country music and prayers of our dear friends. Her dad and I are not getting any younger so the lifting of Chelsea and carrying her down the long stretch of beach to get close to the ocean or even the bon fires as the full body support beach chairs are not available - as of yet, at our local lifeguard station. Having her own chair allows us the flexibility & ability to go at anytime.
Thank you for your consideration and support to bring more accessibility to Chelsea which I know will bring her so much joy, more inclusion with her family and friends and comfort. There are so many limitations for those with such special needs that require total care and recreational opportunities that are out of reach for those who require such full body support but this will break down that barrier and allow her such an amazing opportunity and provide us with amazing moments that will become cherished memories while on this journey with Rett Syndrome and turn not so good days into days with opportunity and comfort.
Blessings and please feel free to spread the word... Share with family and friends on behalf of Chelsea. I deeply appreciate your support and forever grateful!!
Chelsea & her dad at waterpark
Eastlake High School Cheer Team 2010
Chelsea & Tim McGraw (he was first to make her smile while in hospice after 9 months of no expression - singing Just to See You Smile w/ help from Make A Wish - first sign of hope and the fight began!) She never misses one of his local concerts.
Chelsea at 6 years old at Florida Beach before Rett
Fabiszak Family
Within 6 months, Chelsea lost all motor ability; walking, talking, eating and hand use with no explanation as to the cause until several months later though, not the normal onset of Rett Syndrome. She was in hospice care not expected to survive to her 9th birthday. Needless to say, Chelsea is a fighter and has a strong will to inspire others with the help of country music and having opportunities of inclusion with her peers and siblings. She was a cheerleader in high school, currently anbd honorary member of the SDSU Dance Team, loves Miracle League Baseball, swinging at our local universally accessible playground spearheaded by her sister, Emma, attends country concerts and simply enjoys being surrounded by her community, family and peers.
We are trying to raise funds to help Chelsea get her own personal fitted full body support Beach Bomber Wheelchair that is designed by Box Wheelchairs that will help get her onto the beach, into the ocean and onto trails that are otherwise too difficult to access and keep her at a distance from her siblings when camping as a family or simply going on a hike in our beautiful city of San Diego that has become our home thanks to the military.
Chelsea also requires a new therapuetic adjustable bed. Her dad and I often climb into bed with her, especially when night nursing is unavailable or simply during the day when she is having an off day. Her younger siblings also like to climb into bed with her to hang out to watch a movie or many of her favorite country music videos on CMT. Her current bed is 15 years old, hospital style twin which does not quite fit the double occupancy without us hanging off the bed nor has the comfort she so needs and deserves for our occasional "sleepover" as she can never be unsupervised due to the symptoms of Rett Syndrome and Lennox Gastaut Syndrome.
The Beach Bomber Wheelchair will take at least two months to create and design once we have the funds. We are an active family that would love the opportunity to take Chelsea for walks on the beach, dip into the ocean (with a wetsuit), strolls along trails into the beautiful hills and mountains, camp sites and national parks based on our schedule and her desire to see the sunset along the beach, attend a beach bon fire easily, safely and with comfort in her own personal fitted chair.
All this after having a good night's sleep and allowing her comfort on her off days that keep her in bed while allowing her family members to climb into bed with her to hold her and provide her security to heal and feel the love of her family and friends.
Being so active, involved with her community and being at home with family has been the miracle that has kept her fighting and continuing to celebrate birthdays along with her country music and prayers of our dear friends. Her dad and I are not getting any younger so the lifting of Chelsea and carrying her down the long stretch of beach to get close to the ocean or even the bon fires as the full body support beach chairs are not available - as of yet, at our local lifeguard station. Having her own chair allows us the flexibility & ability to go at anytime.
Thank you for your consideration and support to bring more accessibility to Chelsea which I know will bring her so much joy, more inclusion with her family and friends and comfort. There are so many limitations for those with such special needs that require total care and recreational opportunities that are out of reach for those who require such full body support but this will break down that barrier and allow her such an amazing opportunity and provide us with amazing moments that will become cherished memories while on this journey with Rett Syndrome and turn not so good days into days with opportunity and comfort.
Blessings and please feel free to spread the word... Share with family and friends on behalf of Chelsea. I deeply appreciate your support and forever grateful!!
Chelsea & her dad at waterpark
Eastlake High School Cheer Team 2010Chelsea & Tim McGraw (he was first to make her smile while in hospice after 9 months of no expression - singing Just to See You Smile w/ help from Make A Wish - first sign of hope and the fight began!) She never misses one of his local concerts. Chelsea at 6 years old at Florida Beach before Rett
Fabiszak FamilyOrganizer
Veleria Pittman Fabiszak
Organizer
Coronado, CA