My son, Liam , is 11 years old. He is a bright and curious kid with a neuromuscular disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2. Diagnosed at just past a year old, Liam got his first power wheelchair when he was 20 months old. 


We flew to England to pick up his amazing wheelchair, a SnapDragon , made by a small family-run company called DragonMobility . Denied coverage by our insurance, we were able to purchase this incredible chair through the generosity of friends and family. Liam has used this same wheelchair–modified and repaired by my husband–ever since. 


But that is daily use for 10 years straight, so although Liam's Snappie has been tried and true, the time has come to get a new one. I have spent the last few  months trying to get our insurance to cover the new wheelchair, but it has been denied. The denial is based on the fact that DragonMobility is not in-network. But this is the chair Liam has used most of his life, essential to his independence and the way he navigates the world. It is not simply replaceable with another kind of chair, as insurance suggests. The SnapDragon allows Liam to pick something up off the ground, sit next to his friends, or raise up to look in someone's eyes. Its small turning radius and footprint means he can negotiate crowded classrooms and standard width halls and doorways. It is this independence and confidence that has helped shape the way he engages with the world––and the way the world engages with him. 


So I'm here, asking for your help. I've asked once before , via my blog, to help remodel our bathroom to be fully accessible. People from all over came together to make this happen for my family.

I'm asking for your generosity to help pay for Liam's new SnapDragon. 

It's not cheap. It costs around $28,000 (and I'm trying to raise $15,000 of that here). I know: it's a lot of money. However, it is not more expensive than any other power wheelchairs with elevator functions. It puts Liam first, giving him stability, control, and peer interaction.  And the one he has now has lasted 10 years, used every single day.  Liam needs this.

Here's the reality: we are very fortunate to have support and generosity and love from so many throughout the years, but there are just always expenses above and beyond what we can manage.


There are no expectations here, just some wishes being sent out in the world. If you can help, even a little, please know it is hugely appreciated, probably more than you could imagine.

xoxo Lynn