Emma needs wheels
Donation protected
Emma Burnett has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and dystonia. She is in desperate nees of a wheelchair accessible van for transportation. Read her backstory below.
Emma’s disabilities were caused by a birth injury. She went 15 minutes without oxygen during delivery. She is lucky to have lived at all. Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that effects the ability to coordinate and control muscle movement. It is not a progressive disorder, but there is no cure, and Emma is permanently disabled for life. In addition to cerebral palsy, Emma also suffers from Epilipsy (seizures) & Dystonia. Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures, therefore causing it to be more difficult for her to control her muscles.
Prior to the needed implementation of anti-seizure drugs, Emma was able to get around by crawling and sometimes with the use of a walker. When Emma had to begin treatment for her seizures at the age of 3, the side effects of the anti-epileptic medications increased her inability to control her body’s coordination and caused dizziness as well. As Emma’s body grew into adolescence, her muscles tightened, despite continuous physical therapy. It became more and more difficult for her to walk. She now has knee contractures which do not allow her to fully straighten her legs. Emma is no longer able to walk and now must use a wheelchair to get around.
After years of being pushed around in a manual wheelchair, her need for independece grew. About a year ago, Emma was approved for a power wheelchair. She was ecstatic. She received her new (hot pink) power wheelchair during the fall of 2017. She now has independent mobility in school, as the wheelchair van picks her up & brings her home. However, Emma does not have a wheelchair van for use in the community, further restricting her freedom and denying her participation in adaptive sports and restricting her from other events. In order to go anywhere, she is limited to the use of a manual wheelchair, which she is unable to propel due to weakness in her arms, so her freedom is once again restricted.
Emma’s family has fallen on hard times over the last few years and recently lost the older minivan that was used to transport her manual wheelchair. At this point, Emma is in desperate need of a wheelchair van for transportation.
Please consider donating to this campaign. A brand new wheelchair accessible vehicle runs between $50,000 to $80,000. We are looking for a used wheelchair accessible vehicle, which costs around $25,000.
Emma at her Homecoming Dance.
Emma races her brother down the driveway.
Emma’s disabilities were caused by a birth injury. She went 15 minutes without oxygen during delivery. She is lucky to have lived at all. Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that effects the ability to coordinate and control muscle movement. It is not a progressive disorder, but there is no cure, and Emma is permanently disabled for life. In addition to cerebral palsy, Emma also suffers from Epilipsy (seizures) & Dystonia. Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures, therefore causing it to be more difficult for her to control her muscles.
Prior to the needed implementation of anti-seizure drugs, Emma was able to get around by crawling and sometimes with the use of a walker. When Emma had to begin treatment for her seizures at the age of 3, the side effects of the anti-epileptic medications increased her inability to control her body’s coordination and caused dizziness as well. As Emma’s body grew into adolescence, her muscles tightened, despite continuous physical therapy. It became more and more difficult for her to walk. She now has knee contractures which do not allow her to fully straighten her legs. Emma is no longer able to walk and now must use a wheelchair to get around.
After years of being pushed around in a manual wheelchair, her need for independece grew. About a year ago, Emma was approved for a power wheelchair. She was ecstatic. She received her new (hot pink) power wheelchair during the fall of 2017. She now has independent mobility in school, as the wheelchair van picks her up & brings her home. However, Emma does not have a wheelchair van for use in the community, further restricting her freedom and denying her participation in adaptive sports and restricting her from other events. In order to go anywhere, she is limited to the use of a manual wheelchair, which she is unable to propel due to weakness in her arms, so her freedom is once again restricted.
Emma’s family has fallen on hard times over the last few years and recently lost the older minivan that was used to transport her manual wheelchair. At this point, Emma is in desperate need of a wheelchair van for transportation.
Please consider donating to this campaign. A brand new wheelchair accessible vehicle runs between $50,000 to $80,000. We are looking for a used wheelchair accessible vehicle, which costs around $25,000.
Emma at her Homecoming Dance.
Emma races her brother down the driveway.
Organizer
Allison Reder
Organizer
Torrington, CT