Andrea and her son, Zachary, came to Pioneer Center the year after he was born. Born with multiple disabilities, caring for Zachary was overwhelming. The sheer number of doctor appointments and the life expectancy diagnosis placed on her son were a constant source of worry and stress. Through her work over the past few years with Pioneer Center and her case worker, (Krysten), Andrea acquired new coping skills and methods to deal with the day-to-day tasks required for her son. Those new skills were a lifeline for Andrea.
This past fall, Andrea needed Pioneer Center’s assistance once more, this time for Zachary. He had grown into a very happy three-year-old who likes swimming, swinging and being around other kids—and he loves going to school at the SEDOM Center, but Andrea needed a safe way to get Zachary there. Children with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, require adaptive car seats or seat restraints for their safety in cars. Finding the right car seat for a special needs child can be a costly but necessary task. Traditional car seats do not work. Understanding that transporting a special needs child has a unique set of challenges, Pioneer Center, through the generous donation of a long time supporter, provided Andrea and Zachary with a Therapedic™ Vehicle Restraint System Positioning Car Seat.
“I want to thank everyone again for working so hard for this special circumstance; it is going to greatly improve this little boy’s life,” said Krysten, Andrea’s Case Manager. Weighing in at only 11 pounds, the special car seat is easy to maneuver and fits well in Andrea’s car. The lightweight car seat helps with Zachary’s scoliosis because it offers optimal positioning and support.
As Andrea says, “It keeps him healthy.”
