Local nonprofit organization Chariots of Love presented two wheelchairs to local youngsters on Saturday, Sept. 4 at a ceremony held on the Wellington Promenade behind the Wellington Community Center.
It was the nonprofit’s 162nd and 163rd “gift of mobility.” The wheelchairs went to 13-year-old Aiden, who has Friedreich’s ataxia, and 10-year-old Anthony, who has Dravet syndrome. Both need wheelchairs for their mobility issues.
The two young boys received new wheelchairs purchased specifically to suit their unique physical needs, said Valerie Mathieu, president and founder of Chariots of Love.
“What a privilege to unite the support of our communities to improve the lives of mobility-challenged children,” she said. “Thank you to the professionals at TD Medical of Hollywood for doing the assessments, equipment recommendations and wheelchair setups, as well as Jenifer Brito and the staff at the Wellington Community Center for allowing us to use their amazing venue.”
Chariots of Love provides free pediatric wheelchairs, gait trainers and standers, as well as free equipment repairs, for mobility-challenged children and young adults in the United States through the age of 21.
Visit www.chariotsoflove.org and make a much-needed, tax deductible donation to the all-volunteer organization.
Donations to the local nonprofit will help fund another nine candidates currently awaiting their wheelchairs.