Sports wheelchair for Draven Ehrhart

As many of you know, August 24 will be Sarah’s birthday, she would be turning 22. Sadly the reminder of her birthday will not pop up on Facebook as her page disappeared last year and after many efforts it is still gone.

So once again we, her family and friends, will keep her memory alive.

Sarah’s first birthday, that she was not part of, was put together by her sisters and friends as a balloon release at John Stiff Park. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. We took our first family picture without her. Greg wrote about how our “Family Recipe” had changed.

The next year we began a Pay It Forward campaign in her honor. We based this on a writing of Sarah’s in response to Shel Silverstein’s poem, Invitation.

I am still overwhelmingly grateful for all that were part of those Pay It Forwards, friends, family, strangers, Sharky’s, Roasters, Water Still. Thank you for sharing and honoring our Sarah.

This year for Sarah’s birthday and in her memory we are asking for support in getting a sports wheelchair for a student that attends Randall High School, Draven.

He was paralyzed in May of 2022 as the result of a drive-by shooting. (The shooter has still not been found and charged.)

Before his life-changing event, he was a typical high school boy that liked to go to John Stiff park and skateboard. He also thought he might want to be a welder in the future, so planned to take welding classes at school. He has had a very difficult year adjusting to his new life. Watching him, his sister and dad adjust to all of their new lives is hard, but I understand being dealt the life you didn’t choose. It sucks.

Many of you know Sarah’s friend Kathryn survived their wreck but was paralyzed herself as a result. I asked Kathryn to meet with Draven last year, as she had to endure the same fate, walking out of Randall in spring, then returning in the fall wheelchair bound. There is no better counsel than someone who has lived your horror.

I loved Randall High School and all the support they offered me over the years and never thought I would leave, but I did this summer and joined Region 16. At Region 16’s Fall Kickoff, the keynote speaker was Hamish Brewer, the Skateboarding Principal. He was funny, amazing, and most importantly an inspiration to be RELENTLESS! I asked him about wheelchairs that could be used as skateboards. He was not familiar but had seen a lady at Venice Beach doing tricks in a different type of wheelchair. He said “let’s look it up!” We found one and he offered to put a third of the cost towards it! I was so EXCITED! Within 3 minutes this man, a stranger to me and Draven and his family, was offering to help Draven. Hamish had his own life story that didn’t go as planned in the beginning but he took those obstacles and overcame them. Now, he goes around the country inspiring others to do the same.

I am asking you, my FB friends, family, strangers, anyone, to please donate to this cause for Draven. Draven was reluctant to accept this help but I told him this is what I do to keep my Sarah alive in people’s hearts and minds. It is an honor for me to do as Sarah would want me to, helping and loving ALL people.

Just as the night in March 2018 changed our life forever, that night in May 2022 altered Draven’s life, but what we do with the life we were dealt is up to us. It is much easier with a little help from our friends. Thank you all.

As always, we do this in honor of you, Sarah Bear. I love you #pooping!! Your Mother