WHEELCHAIR VAN FOR GRAHAM KIDS
Donation protected
Rosie, Katie, Tony and Iyla are the last four of ten children raised by single adoptive mom Pam. All four kids use wheelchairs or mobility scooters to get about in the community and to their many doctors' appointments. Unfortunately, the old Chevy Venture that they currently own does not have a scooter lift and is not big enough to fit all four chairs in at the same time. They have had to play "musical wheelchairs", with someone walking when they go out. Up until now Katie was the strongest and would generally be the one to do without. Unfortunately, on March 31st Katie had a mild stroke during brain surgery. This has caused left-sided hemiparesis. She now more than ever needs to use her mobility equipment. They don't need anything fancy. The minivan they have now has captain's chairs in the middle, which doesn't give enough free space in the back. A van or minivan of some sort with a bench seat in the middle could seat everyone in the front half, with room for wheelchairs and scooters in the back. A scooter lift would be an added bonus, and Pam's back (age 64) would appreciate it!
Please take a moment and meet these four wonderful kids, from youngest to oldest:
IYLA is five, and has an unknown type of Primordial dwarfism. She is 30 inches tall and weighs 19 pounds. Iyla is a little firecracker who doesn't let anything stop her. In her short life she has undergone open heart surgery, a tracheostomy, a c-1 c-2 spinal fusion, a tracheal reconstruction and double hip surgeries. She just took her first steps last month!
TONY is also five, and was a 28-week two pound preemie. He had Grade III and IV brain bleeds at birth, which left him with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Tony is the homeschooled "brainiac" of the family, and is currently doing 2nd grade math and 3rd grade reading!
KATIE is 18 and has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. She is the Big Sister that the others look to for guidance and support. She is also The Enforcer around the house! Katie is fiercely independent, and looks upon this latest stroke setback as something she can overcome. She has hydrocephalus in addition to her dwarfism, and has undergone 9 surgeries in the last 13 months (22 in her lifetime so far!).
ROSIE is 20 and is the resident comedian and Drama Queen. She is 38 inches tall and has both achondroplasia and Down syndrome, which is a 1-in-25,000,000 combination! She also has celiac disease and is hearing impaired, and has undergone two spinal fusions in the past.
The family would like you to know that any help is greatly appreciated. No donation is too small!
Please take a moment and meet these four wonderful kids, from youngest to oldest:
IYLA is five, and has an unknown type of Primordial dwarfism. She is 30 inches tall and weighs 19 pounds. Iyla is a little firecracker who doesn't let anything stop her. In her short life she has undergone open heart surgery, a tracheostomy, a c-1 c-2 spinal fusion, a tracheal reconstruction and double hip surgeries. She just took her first steps last month!
TONY is also five, and was a 28-week two pound preemie. He had Grade III and IV brain bleeds at birth, which left him with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Tony is the homeschooled "brainiac" of the family, and is currently doing 2nd grade math and 3rd grade reading!
KATIE is 18 and has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. She is the Big Sister that the others look to for guidance and support. She is also The Enforcer around the house! Katie is fiercely independent, and looks upon this latest stroke setback as something she can overcome. She has hydrocephalus in addition to her dwarfism, and has undergone 9 surgeries in the last 13 months (22 in her lifetime so far!).
ROSIE is 20 and is the resident comedian and Drama Queen. She is 38 inches tall and has both achondroplasia and Down syndrome, which is a 1-in-25,000,000 combination! She also has celiac disease and is hearing impaired, and has undergone two spinal fusions in the past.
The family would like you to know that any help is greatly appreciated. No donation is too small!
Organizer
Pam Graham
Organizer
Castle Rock, CO