Help Owen Navigate the World with a New Stroller

Hello Everyone!

My name is Mikki, my son Owen is 11 years old, he has a rare genetic disease called Ataxia Telangiectasia. This disease affects his body head to toe. Essentially his cerebellum is dying and he lacks the ATM protein to reproduce cells. Because of this his coordination, speech, fine and gross motor are all affected. He cannot walk and relies on mobility devices to navigate the world inside our home and outside.

He uses a power wheelchair at school to have autonomy and independence, but outside of school he prefers and favors his Convaid Cruiser (stroller). Even with ADA laws in place, the world is not kind or built for wheelchair users and to avoid being left out, Owen chooses to use his stroller.

I am fundraising $5000 to purchase a new Convaid Cruiser. His current one is too small, both wheels have broken off. I have had them repaired multiple times, but to no fail they continue to fall off in the middle of using the stroller. The upholstery is ripped after 7 years of use, and Owen’s height and weight has doubled since he received the original stroller.

Unfortunately, insurance will NOT pay for a new one because he has a power chair, and in order to continue to have protection on the power chair like maintenance and adjustments paid for by insurance, insurance will not fund a second mobility device.

I am asking my community to rally and help us raise the funds to allow Owen to continue access to the world, like walking his dog, attending community events, going to the grocery store, spontaneous trips, being able to go to family and friends houses that do not have ramps or wide enough doors that would allow a power chair to enter.