Adapted Stroller

About a week ago, we sent this letter to friends & family:

Dear Friends & Family,

Nicholas was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy over two years ago and during that time we have spent countless hours researching various adapted devices that help make life somewhat easier for a child who is nearly paralyzed. One of the items that we have been researching lately is a travel system for Nicholas. Currently, the only travel system we own that Nicholas can use is a double stroller. Unfortunately, Nicholas is quickly out-growing his double stroller and he will not be able to sit comfortably in it within the next six months.

Therefore, we have been working with Nicholas’s therapists to determine the best travel system for him at this time. We also consulted several other SMA families that we trust and decided that the EasyS Adapted Stroller by Exomotion is the only piece of travel equipment that is suitable for Nicholas. The EasyS Stroller is the only adapted stroller which allows Nicholas to be able to sit fully upright or lay completely flat. As his SMA progresses, it is important for him to lie flat to both manage his secretions and to keep his lungs open. The EasyS Stroller is also the only adapted stroller that can accommodate the life-saving equipment that we need to bring with him wherever he goes.

Unfortunately, all adapted equipment is expensive. The EasyS Stroller costs approximately $4,500. Normally we would ask our insurance to cover such an expensive piece of equipment; however, we will need to order a power wheelchair in the near future which costs nearly $30,000. If we ask our insurance company to pay for the EasyS Stroller they will not pay for the power wheelchair because they will only cover the cost of one travel system. Since the power wheelchair is much more expensive, obviously we would prefer they pay for that.

In order to purchase the EasyS Stroller, we are asking for donations from you, our friends and family. People often ask us how they can help Nicholas and we simply ask for prayers. Now we are asking for a small donation to help provide Nicholas with a travel system that will help him to be properly seated and comfortable while exploring his environment. All of the donations received will go into a special savings account set-up for Nicholas. When we reach our $4,500 goal we will be able to order his EasyS Stroller with his vendor at ATG Rehab.

No donation is too small and every donation is very much appreciated. We know this stroller will be life changing for Nicholas as he will be able to comfortably view his environment. Thank you for considering making a donation to Nicholas’s EasyS Stroller. It means so much to us!

Blessings, Jeff & Jessica Gustafson

Since sending out those letters we have already received $2,600 in donations toward Nicholas's stroller! We are very excited that we are more than halfway to our goal and will be able to order the stroller much sooner than we anticipated. We appreciate the generous donations we already received and hope that we can collect the rest of the money by the end of summer. We know the adapted stroller will be a super comfortable piece of equipment for Nicholas and will make things like going to church, doctor's appointments, and story times much easier.

If you are reading this and did not receive a letter from us, but would like to donate to Nicholas's stroller fund, please email me at jessagustafson@yahoo.com. I would be happy to give you the donation information. Every single dollar helps Nicholas get closer to seeing the world from a comfortable vantage point!