Andrew's Adaptive Bike
Donation protected
Andrew is the youngest of 5 children in our family. Three months after he was born, we found out that he had suffered a stroke in utero causing brain damage to the right side of his brain. Dr's at the time were not sure if he would walk or talk. A couple of months after his 3rd birthday he walked, this day is known as "Happy Walking Day" and we celebrate it every year. March 7.
Because of the brain damage, the right side of his body does not function like ours. He has Cerebral Palsy, meaning the brain can not reach a lot of the muscles on the left side of his body. He had a double hip osteotomy at 5 years old, he had a tendon transfer on his left hand to try and get some use out of "lefty". Andrew wore a hand brace for years, and he has worn a leg brace for the past 8 years and continues to do so. Andrew is FULL of life and is so happy, but recently has begun to notice a lot of things. I get questions like "Will my lefty be like this for my whole life?" "I want another surgery on lefty because he still doesn't work." And the worst thing came on Christmas morning, "I want to ask Santa for a new lefty."
Andrew also is on medication for seizures, he has a mid to left field of vision cut on in both of his eyes, which means he may never drive.
He does not have any friends outside of school. AT school everyone is nice to him and he is like the Mayor, but outside of school everyone moves on, as Andrew can not participate in things the way other kids do and they get bored very quickly doing it "Andrew's way".
He wishes for simple things....like being able to wear flip flops, going to see Mickey, going to Niagara Falls, but the thing he wishes for the most is to RIDE A BIKE!!!
He was in a contest for an adaptive bike and we were overwhelmed by the support!!! Anyone that knows Fred and I, we are proud people and have never ever taken any handouts from anyone. But soooo many of you have asked us to set up a Go Fund Me account and we will do so for Andrew! His brothers will all be leaving for college every year for the next three years, we really want him to get into doing something he likes, to fill that void a bit and maybe to be able to ride with other kids his age.
The bike on the contest was a Mobo Cruiser for $400 but Andrew would quickly outgrow it, and we woud never ask people to help with that amount. There are adaptive bikes that are made to last a lifetime, gears, etc.
We will save every penny donated to put toward this bike for our son. These bikes are very expensive, $2,500-$5,000. If you would like to donate, please feel free. I will let you know I will not be posting and posting, it took a lot for me to even create this page.
Andrew is our miracle! He has made us better people. I believe I am a better mother, a better teacher, and that I am sooo much better at understanding the individual needs over children, and adults. Fred has become a better father and so much better at understanding differencess in children and people. Here is a link to some of the ones we are looking at and we will work with his OT at Hospital for Special Care, to choose the correct one for Andrew. www.turningpointcycles.com/tricycles they also have a special needs secion. Or http://www.icetrikes.co/explore-our-trikes/adventure
Because of the brain damage, the right side of his body does not function like ours. He has Cerebral Palsy, meaning the brain can not reach a lot of the muscles on the left side of his body. He had a double hip osteotomy at 5 years old, he had a tendon transfer on his left hand to try and get some use out of "lefty". Andrew wore a hand brace for years, and he has worn a leg brace for the past 8 years and continues to do so. Andrew is FULL of life and is so happy, but recently has begun to notice a lot of things. I get questions like "Will my lefty be like this for my whole life?" "I want another surgery on lefty because he still doesn't work." And the worst thing came on Christmas morning, "I want to ask Santa for a new lefty."
Andrew also is on medication for seizures, he has a mid to left field of vision cut on in both of his eyes, which means he may never drive.
He does not have any friends outside of school. AT school everyone is nice to him and he is like the Mayor, but outside of school everyone moves on, as Andrew can not participate in things the way other kids do and they get bored very quickly doing it "Andrew's way".
He wishes for simple things....like being able to wear flip flops, going to see Mickey, going to Niagara Falls, but the thing he wishes for the most is to RIDE A BIKE!!!
He was in a contest for an adaptive bike and we were overwhelmed by the support!!! Anyone that knows Fred and I, we are proud people and have never ever taken any handouts from anyone. But soooo many of you have asked us to set up a Go Fund Me account and we will do so for Andrew! His brothers will all be leaving for college every year for the next three years, we really want him to get into doing something he likes, to fill that void a bit and maybe to be able to ride with other kids his age.
The bike on the contest was a Mobo Cruiser for $400 but Andrew would quickly outgrow it, and we woud never ask people to help with that amount. There are adaptive bikes that are made to last a lifetime, gears, etc.
We will save every penny donated to put toward this bike for our son. These bikes are very expensive, $2,500-$5,000. If you would like to donate, please feel free. I will let you know I will not be posting and posting, it took a lot for me to even create this page.
Andrew is our miracle! He has made us better people. I believe I am a better mother, a better teacher, and that I am sooo much better at understanding the individual needs over children, and adults. Fred has become a better father and so much better at understanding differencess in children and people. Here is a link to some of the ones we are looking at and we will work with his OT at Hospital for Special Care, to choose the correct one for Andrew. www.turningpointcycles.com/tricycles they also have a special needs secion. Or http://www.icetrikes.co/explore-our-trikes/adventure
Organizer
Gina M Petruzzelli-West
Organizer
Plainville, CT
