Meagan is ten-years-old. She is a lively, talkative child, who sings in her school choir and is learning to play the piano.
It was really important to her to become a trained peer mediator at school, which means she helps other students to get along on the playground. Fortunately for them, she is able to access most of the playground with her power wheelchair.
Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, Meagan is paralyzed from the ribs down. When she goes to school, the other students ask her questions like: “Why are you in a wheelchair? Is it because you broke your legs? Are you in a wheelchair because your mom or dad did not teach you how to walk?”
Meagan is happy enough to explain: “When I was born, the hole in my back didn’t close like it should. Some of the nerves that were attached to my legs did not form properly, so that is why I can’t walk.”
Meagan doesn’t let many obstacles slow her down. Her single mom does all she can. To make the necessary adjustments to be home to care for Meagan, she cashed in her RRSPs. That is why she turned to Easter Seals. Easter Seals Ontario helped purchase important equipment that Meagan needs:
- A ramp to access their home, which Meagan uses every day. She explains, “If I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be able to leave the house.”
- Last year, they received financial assistance to purchase a power wheelchair. “I’m in it all the time when I’m awake,” says Meagan.
- Most recently, they purchased a track lift. She calls this “my little zip line. It’s awesome. It helps me get onto the bed after my bath.”
Meagan’s mom is grateful for Easter Seals’ donors: “Managing day-to-day without Easter Seals would be very difficult.”
Meagan doesn’t let obstacles slow her down. She keeps very busy with a regimented schedule, physical therapy, choir practice and piano lessons. Although she is only ten years old, independence is already an important priority for her. Whether Meagan is mediating disputes on the playground from her wheelchair, powering over a ramp to access her home, or “zip-lining” from her bath to her bed, access to that experience of independence is made possible with support from generous supporters of Easter Seals Ontario.
