Angelica is Really Going Places!

    Angelica in van laughing

Angelica is an outgoing and vivacious teen with a penchant for talking on the phone, listening to pop music, and going to the mall.  In other words, your typical teen girl!  It is an understatement to say that she is obsessed with One Direction!  She knows every song and has their stickers all over her wheelchair.  She loves hanging out with her friends at the mall, but that has become a little more challenging lately.

Angelica, AKA Angel, was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings.  She also has several other complications associated with the condition including hydrocephalus and scoliosis.  Angelica cannot walk and uses a power wheelchair.  Her only mode of transportation is the family van.  The lift on the van was broken and the only way to get Angelica and her chair inside was by using 2 unstable planks of wood, a frightful situation that resulted in more than one spill.  Therefore, her outings were few and far between.

The van also had transmission problems.  Although Wheelchairs 4 Kids does not generally get involved with engines, we knew that our good friends at Precision Kia in Wesley Chapel would come to the rescue – and boy, did they!  They put in a brand new transmission with a three year warranty! Then on to our partners, Custom Mobility, where the lift guru, Gary went to work fixing the van lift for a major discount (parts only).  Thanks to the Trinity Rotary and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay for sponsoring Angelica’s need.

Angelica was a little apprehensive trying the lift for the first time, but once she was comfortable she broke out in giggles.  Have a great time going to the mall and movies with all of your friends. Who knows, maybe one day soon, you’ll be able to go to a One Direction concert!!