(GoFundMe)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Seeking Greater Mobility

Family fundraising for wheelchair for 3 y/o son with neuromuscular disorder

Oct 9, 2020 | 3:32 PM

A Red Deer family is hoping members of the community are able to help them purchase a specialized wheelchair for their three-year-old son who suffers from a neuromuscular disorder.

At only three months old, Mason Seward was diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched Sept. 10 to help the family with the roughly $32,000 cost of the Action Trackchair which is hoped to make Mason more mobile.

Mason’s parents say doctors informed them that Mason’s would likely not make it past the age of two, however, Mason recently turned three and has been a part of a trial to receive therapy treatment – Zolgensma.

Over $14,000 has been raised to help give Mason his independence

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“We were told he would not live past two years old,” say his parents on the GoFundMe page. “We were broken. Looking into the eyes of our baby and watching him deteriorate day by day was the hardest thing we have ever done. Through the grace of God and help through our community we were able to be a part of the trial for Zolgensma, which is now FDA approved!”

According to Mason’s family, the Zolgensma treatment has extended Mason’s life and given him strength beyond their imagination.

“He is resilient. We hope to give him the world. He is now three years old!” reads his family’s statement. “He has the biggest heart and has taught us about appreciation for life. He loves the outdoors but is still not able to get around outside because of his muscle weakness.”

Mother Madison and father Blake say Mason does not have the upper body strength to maneuver a manual wheelchair off the pavement and the places he wants to go, nor are they accessible by a normal powered chair.

“This is the option we believe will give him the most out of life,” they explain. “This track chair will allow him to move freely over all types of terrain—in sand, on gravel, up hills and over curbs. As his parents, it is one of our greatest desires to give him the best quality of life possible despite the difficult challenges associated with this diagnosis.”

Mason’s parents add that it would allow their son to experience all the joys of being a kid, including being able to play and explore the outdoors, like fishing, camping, hiking, going to the beach, or playing at the park.

“Mason wants to be included just like any other kid,” father Blake continues. “With today’s technology, Mason’s mobility and quality of life shouldn’t be limited because of money. We can see our community feels the same way with the amount of support and generosity we have received.”

Blake admits there have been many unknowns since Mason’s birth but the one thing that is known through their journey is the love they have received from the community already.

“His lack of mobility is a constant frustration for him, as he constantly wants to be on the move. Please consider donating to our fundraiser to give Mason his Action Trackchair.”