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Kinross girl given mobility aid
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WASHINGTON — A girl from Kinross was given a $2,500 adaptive tricycle last week, funded by customer donations at Washington’s Fareway grocery store.
Its recipient, 4-year-old Raegan Warwick, has cerebral palsy and has attended physical therapy since she was 6 months old according to her mother, who said the condition hindered the child’s muscle coordination and strength. She already had a wheelchair due to a recent back surgery, but family members said the traditional mobility aid was limited in its range of motion, and its speed without help from an adult.
The new device will allow her to participate in more fast-paced outdoor activities, alongside her more typically developing peers.
“We feel so blessed to be recipients of it … on our own, it wasn’t something we were going to be able to get for her,” said Shyra Warwick, Raegan’s mother. “When we found out Variety would be willing to help sponsor it and fundraise with Fareway, we were just blown away, and so thankful for it.”
Asked about what she was excited to do with her new device, Raegan said, “ride it!”
The trike, according to donors, is specially fitted to the four-year old’s body. It has pedals and handlebars for control like a typical bicycle, and an additional handlebar on the back for a parent or guardian to push and steer as needed. Several elements are adjustable, and can adapt as the user grows older.
The Warwick family said insurance would not cover the mobility aid, despite its benefits, because Raegan already had access to a wheelchair.
The device was provided instead through Variety Iowa, a charity benefiting at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill and disabled children around the state. Funding came from round-up donations at Washington’s Fareway, according to Assistant Manager Amanda Laws.
Dana Franck, Variety’s Eastern Iowa director, said organizers hoped to provide similar adaptive equipment to kids in all 99 counties of the state. She said the charity pushed to get them out especially in the early summer months, as kids increase their outdoor playtime.
“These types of equipment empower kids with freedom, independence, and just being able to be included with their peers and family members,” Franck said. “It enhances their emotional development and well-being, and, obviously, their physical development.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
