Wheelchair van fundraiser for Noah

Please help Noah's family with raising enough funds to purchase a wheelchair van. Without a van, Noah, cannot sustain functional transportation in the future with access to a wheelchair.

Noah's Story:

Noah is an amazing 3-year-old boy; he loves to laugh and explore the world in his own unique ways. Noah loves animals, cars, trucks, trains, planes and motorbikes. Animals make Noah smile, and he loves learning what sounds different animals make. Noah is a miracle and a warrior, and he adds so much value to everyone's lives. He is determined and resilient and the most patient little person considering what he endures. He is interested in the world around him; he watches and observes everything. He loves being outside, loves water, music and goofy characters in movies. He has the best smile and loves his big Sister!

Noah was born with a condition called 'Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita'. This means that the tendons around a lot of Noah's joints cause his joints to be stiff/stuck (joint contractures) in varied degrees throughout his body. Noah also has a large number of atrophied muscles throughout his body due to the muscle not growing in utero. Noah is impacted in his shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, hips, knees, feet and toes. The joint contractures and low muscle tone significantly impacts Noah's ability to move his arms, fingers, feet and toes, his ability to bend his fingers, stand and walk independently. It impacts his breathing, oesophagus, eyes, stomach, strength and so on.

Noah requires regular stretches and exercises all throughout the day to maintain progress and range of motion.

Alongside Noah's Arthrogryposis, he also had a small stroke around the time of his birth. He was also born with several conditions that affect his airway and make it a bit harder every day for him to breathe and eat, chew or drink. Noah is at risk of becoming seriously ill if he gets an upper respiratory condition and this has already landed us in hospital on a few occasions. Noah aspirates when drinking fluids without modifications, meaning the fluid can go into his lungs. Noah has worked hard to get to the point where he can drink his bottle safely and eat pureed/soft foods, as Noah's muscle tone, airway malformations and other small congenital issues affect his ability to eat and drink well.

Noah has also been diagnosed with Autism, this impacts Noah with his ability to speak, communicate and adapt to some changes in his routines. Noah at this stage is non-verbal, but he makes some pretty impressive animal sounds and in the recent past has been able to say "Mum".

Noah works hard to reach goals and has been to hundreds of appointments. Noah has an extensive team of therapists, specialists and services. He has had to have surgeries and procedures (legs, nose, throat, ears etc) and lots of serial castings. He has worked hard to overcome illnesses that impact his breathing, weight and strength. Noah is a little warrior who works harder than most to achieve what we can easily take for granted in our everyday lives. Noah has progressed so much in his short life and has come further than what the family was told he would have.

What we need:

Noah requires a wheelchair for future mobility. His family require a power wheelchair due to Noah's inability to mobilise himself with his arms. If he is able to walk in the future, he will still need a chair for long distances and when he is tired (which happens frequently) or unwell.

Noah's family needs a van that can be fully modified and have the space to fit a wheelchair and future chairs as Noah grows as well as specialised equipment that allows him to walk with assistance when in some public places. Noah lives with his sister and mother and due to the high care needs and frequent appointments, his mother cannot return to work. With the current cost of living, it is impossible to save money towards a van.

Why so much?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will only fund wheelchair modifications (which is needed for ramps and hoists) for a vehicle under 5 years old/ 80 000ks. Which means his family need to buy a new van to get the appropriate modifications to fit the right wheelchair and equipment.

Any contribution would help towards giving Noah the inclusion he deserves to be able to get to appointments and to be able to get out of the house with his family in the future. Noah's mother thanks you from the bottom of heart for your generosity and blessing. Noah has a lot to offer the world and his journey has just begun!