Help medal-winning Paralympic athlete roll again
Nick Cunningham, a medal-winning Paralympic athlete needs our help with expenses as he recovers from 3 months in and out of the hospital
In early March, 2019, just a few days later after securing an apartment , serious medical issues landed him in the hospital for an extended stay. This revolving door of hospital to home has lasted for 3 months and he is still recovering and has another procedure to go through.
During this time, Nick has been unable to work. He needs our help with rent, groceries, and other expenses as well as getting his vehicle operational.
His story
When Nick was just 8 months old he was burned in a house fire. His legs did not heal and at the age of 18 months they were amputated. Nothing slowed Nick down, he played sports through high school and has won medals and set world records for high school wheel chair racing.
When able to, Nick continues wheelchair racing. He volunteers his time as President of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
I met Nick a few years ago when he was staffing the weights/ exercise machines room in the local high school which was available to the public after school hours for 3 sessions a week.
Despite difficult circumstances, I never once heard Nick complain He is always cheerful, upbeat, and helpful.
Nick also works 2 part time jobs quite a distance from home.
Nick is a personal trainer at the YMCA in Dayton & works as an usher at the Nutter Center Events in Fairborn.
Nick has struggled financially this past year. When his vehicle needed repairs, he didn’t have the funds. He would casually ask via Facebook (On FB as Nick FastestHippy) if anyone was going to these areas and if so could he get a ride.
At times when no ride was forthcoming, Nick wheeled himself to work (in his chair) in all weather conditions. The jobs are located 17 miles and 9 miles from his home.
Consider that his wheelchair was 35 years old! He just recently secured a newer one that actually fits him.
Nick is also the sole provider for his son, Thomas, who has multiple cognitive and emotional challenges (M.E.R.L.D.) and is working with a program to learn job and coping skills.
Housing
Nick lived for many years with his son in a small rental home. When the landlord died, the house was sold and they were without a place to live. While he searched relentlessly for an affordable rental, Nick couch surfed and stayed with a friend for over 8 months.
His luck changed when his application was accepted for a two-bedroom apartment through Home, Inc., which is fully equipped for a person with a wheel chair. His previous housing was not.
https://ysnews.com/news/2019/04/forest-village-homes-home-inc-expands-to-rentals
He always makes the best of whatever situation he finds himself in.
He signed the lease to move in on March 1, 2019.
Then just a few days later after securing an apartment , serious medical issues landed him in the hospital for an extended stay. This revolving door of hospital to home has lasted for 3 months and he is still recovering and has another procedure to go through.
During this time, Nick has been unable to work. He needs our help so he can pay rent, groceries, and other expenses as well as getting his vehicle operational.
Please donate what ever you can to help this extraordinary man who is going through a rough patch and lets get him rolling again in his racing wheelchair.
