3-Year-Old Receives Princess-Themed Power Wheelchair
Paola Vega shows off her brand-new princess-themed power wheelchair with (from left to right) Eugene Reidy, of Sheehan Autoplex; Joan Gwynn and Jerry Gwynn, both of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation; and Gladys Vega, Paola’s mother.
For Christmas, 3-year-old Paola Vega, of Puerto Rico, wanted a wheelchair. Although she has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness, she and her family have been denied health insurance and Medicare numerous times in their efforts to acquire a power wheelchair.
At the Full Throttle Show of Shows hosted by the Sheehan Autoplex on Jan. 7, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation awarded Paola a new $13,000 princess-themed custom power wheelchair. The event was a fund-raiser for the foundation.
Through a Facebook campaign, the foundation raised more than $5,000 toward the wheelchair and decided to purchase the chair so that Paola would not have to wait. The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is still accepting donations to cover the full cost of the wheelchair.
To contribute to the wheelchair that Paola needs to go to school, play with her friends and participate in family activities, make an online donation on Facebook or here.