A Bike for Hedda
Donation protected
UPDATE FOR JULY!
Hello friends and fans of Hedda!
Hedda's new bike is ordered and will arrive (hopefully) by the end of this month! With all the special fittings & taxes & shipping, and a van rental to pick it up (it would be a lot to ask Hedda and her Mom to bike all the way from Toronto to Ottawa - though I know her Mom could do it with her!) the bike will cost $12,000 so if you know anyone who wanted to pay for the last spoke or buckle, let them know there's still a little room left in the top of our jar!
I can't wait to share photos of Hedda on her new bike! And I continue to be moved by everyone's love and generosity.
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HEDDA IS GOING TO FEEL THE WIND IN HER HAIR!
6 days ago I shared Hedda's story. And right now I am writing to say that in a mere 6 days the people who are a part of Hedda's story have given her $10,000. This is nothing short of incredible. The support, kindness, and generosity for Hedda and her family has changed Hedda's family's life - not just in that Hedda is going to have the bike her family only dreamed of being able to afford for her, but the outpouring of love and support from so many people has meant that Hedda's parents know and feel that they are supported - by friends, family, strangers and neighbours. And not just supported - but supported eagerly and generously. It's as beautiful as it is overwhelming.
I'm going to leave the campaign open. If you still feel compelled to give, there are a number of attachments that go with the Hase Pino bike, as well as taxes, and shipping fees (it's coming to Toronto from Germany!). We really never dreamed of raising $10,000 in a week! If support continues to come in we will use it to pay for all the extras!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you on behalf of Hedda! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEDDA!!!! From YOU!!!
**
June 23
Today is a big day. Today my niece, Hedda Margaret, turns 9! She is getting big. In fact, she's getting too big for her old bike. And she needs a new one. For lots of kids that’s an easy thing, but not for Hedda. Hedda has lots of mobility needs, and can't peddle a bike like most people. She has a very rare condition called Harel-Yoon Syndrome, which means that she talks and walks differently from many people.
When I asked her Mom and Dad what I could get for her birthday, they said maybe I could contribute to the little jar they have for saving up money for a HASE PINO - a bike that Hedda can peddle and her Mom or Dad (or big brother!) can ride with her. It has the supports she needs, pedals she can use, and it's a bike that can hopefully last her lifetime!
There are lots of challenges for Hedda and her family. One of those challenges is that most forms of physical activity are hard for Hedda. She isn’t able to hike, or swim, or walk with ease on her own. As she gets bigger, it’s getting more challenging for her family to exercise with her. Biking on a tandem bike is one of the only physical activities she can do with her family – all of them together. This bike would mean her family can easily go out and ride, and Hedda can be an active part of the ride.
Thing is, this bike is costly, like many things for people with special needs. My sister told me it will be years before they have enough money, if ever. And, as Hedda's aunt, I decided I wanted to try my best to get her feet in those pedals.
The bike will cost $10,000 and I would like to raise that for her! And I can’t do it alone. I'm hoping for some help to fill that jar! I'm hoping Hedda's friends and family can help, and I'm hoping that they can spread the word too. That if lots of us give a little bit we can get this big thing for this beautiful 9 year old.
Hedda loves the wind in her hair, being outside and moving her legs. In fact, she needs to move her legs and exercise every day just like all of us. She loves bikes. And I love her. Hedda's taught me about laughter, new ways of communicating. She's taught me so much about love. She's changed my life. And I would like to change hers too.
If you can help a little bit, it would mean the world.
Here is how I can thank you for your generosity!
$25 - A mini-print of my artwork, 4x5"
$50 - A copy of my illustrated poetry book, Self-Portrait Without a Bicycle
$100 - An 8x10" print of my artwork
$500 - An original painting from my Water & Thread collection .
$1000 - Commission your own piece of art (that could be in the form of a painting or a drawing. Or something else... let's chat.)
Your donation will go directly to Hedda's Mom, Rachel Dierolf, who will be buying the perfect bike for our Hedda from Urbane Cylclist in Toronto. And finally - here's a photo of a Hase Pino!
Hello friends and fans of Hedda!
Hedda's new bike is ordered and will arrive (hopefully) by the end of this month! With all the special fittings & taxes & shipping, and a van rental to pick it up (it would be a lot to ask Hedda and her Mom to bike all the way from Toronto to Ottawa - though I know her Mom could do it with her!) the bike will cost $12,000 so if you know anyone who wanted to pay for the last spoke or buckle, let them know there's still a little room left in the top of our jar!
I can't wait to share photos of Hedda on her new bike! And I continue to be moved by everyone's love and generosity.
------
HEDDA IS GOING TO FEEL THE WIND IN HER HAIR!
6 days ago I shared Hedda's story. And right now I am writing to say that in a mere 6 days the people who are a part of Hedda's story have given her $10,000. This is nothing short of incredible. The support, kindness, and generosity for Hedda and her family has changed Hedda's family's life - not just in that Hedda is going to have the bike her family only dreamed of being able to afford for her, but the outpouring of love and support from so many people has meant that Hedda's parents know and feel that they are supported - by friends, family, strangers and neighbours. And not just supported - but supported eagerly and generously. It's as beautiful as it is overwhelming.
I'm going to leave the campaign open. If you still feel compelled to give, there are a number of attachments that go with the Hase Pino bike, as well as taxes, and shipping fees (it's coming to Toronto from Germany!). We really never dreamed of raising $10,000 in a week! If support continues to come in we will use it to pay for all the extras!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you on behalf of Hedda! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEDDA!!!! From YOU!!!
**
June 23
Today is a big day. Today my niece, Hedda Margaret, turns 9! She is getting big. In fact, she's getting too big for her old bike. And she needs a new one. For lots of kids that’s an easy thing, but not for Hedda. Hedda has lots of mobility needs, and can't peddle a bike like most people. She has a very rare condition called Harel-Yoon Syndrome, which means that she talks and walks differently from many people.
When I asked her Mom and Dad what I could get for her birthday, they said maybe I could contribute to the little jar they have for saving up money for a HASE PINO - a bike that Hedda can peddle and her Mom or Dad (or big brother!) can ride with her. It has the supports she needs, pedals she can use, and it's a bike that can hopefully last her lifetime!
There are lots of challenges for Hedda and her family. One of those challenges is that most forms of physical activity are hard for Hedda. She isn’t able to hike, or swim, or walk with ease on her own. As she gets bigger, it’s getting more challenging for her family to exercise with her. Biking on a tandem bike is one of the only physical activities she can do with her family – all of them together. This bike would mean her family can easily go out and ride, and Hedda can be an active part of the ride.
Thing is, this bike is costly, like many things for people with special needs. My sister told me it will be years before they have enough money, if ever. And, as Hedda's aunt, I decided I wanted to try my best to get her feet in those pedals.
The bike will cost $10,000 and I would like to raise that for her! And I can’t do it alone. I'm hoping for some help to fill that jar! I'm hoping Hedda's friends and family can help, and I'm hoping that they can spread the word too. That if lots of us give a little bit we can get this big thing for this beautiful 9 year old.
Hedda loves the wind in her hair, being outside and moving her legs. In fact, she needs to move her legs and exercise every day just like all of us. She loves bikes. And I love her. Hedda's taught me about laughter, new ways of communicating. She's taught me so much about love. She's changed my life. And I would like to change hers too.
If you can help a little bit, it would mean the world.
Here is how I can thank you for your generosity!
$25 - A mini-print of my artwork, 4x5"
$50 - A copy of my illustrated poetry book, Self-Portrait Without a Bicycle
$100 - An 8x10" print of my artwork
$500 - An original painting from my Water & Thread collection .
$1000 - Commission your own piece of art (that could be in the form of a painting or a drawing. Or something else... let's chat.)
Your donation will go directly to Hedda's Mom, Rachel Dierolf, who will be buying the perfect bike for our Hedda from Urbane Cylclist in Toronto. And finally - here's a photo of a Hase Pino!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Hiemstra
Organizer
Toronto, ON
Rachel Dierolf
Beneficiary