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WHEEELCHAIR DONATION PROGRAM RECIPIENTS
Name: Paola Vega
Age: 3
Residence: Puerto Rico
Story: Paola was born pre-mature, which resulted in her being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She is currently attending a school Puerto Rico where she receives physical therapy and also is able to play with children her age. Her favorite things to do at school are singing songs with the group and playing with dolls. She was also recently on TV in Puerto Rico representing the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and was given the chance to sing with a famous Latin singer, Luis Fonsi.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $13,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Paola on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Full Throttle Show of Shows hosted by the Sheehan Autoplex to benefit the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. Paola and her family traveled to South Florida to receive the wheelchair that they have desperately been seeking for her. Her family was unable to obtain the proper wheelchair for Paola, and she is not strong enough to propel herself in her previous manual wheelchair which was being loaned to her. She will now be able to keep up with friends at school and participate in all family functions! Needless to say, the donation by the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will provide Stephan with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Rylee Kronen
Age: 4
Residence: Davie, FL
Story: Rylee suffers from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex II which is a genetic disorder that has caused a developmental delay and will also cause many other obstacles throughout her life. Because of this, she also suffers from epilepsy and typically has 2 seizures a day. She currently has a gait trainer, which helps her in some ways, but because of this, she was denied by insurance for a wheelchair, putting her at great need for a new wheelchair.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $9,000 custom-built wheelchair to Rylee on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at the Miami Dolphins football game. The new wheelchair will allow Rylee to sit for more than 10 minutes at a time, something that she previously wasn’t able to do. It will also allow her to interact with her friends and family. The new wheelchair will also help improve her therapy sessions, which will increase the rate that she will develop. Needless to say, the wheelchair will provide Rylee with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Tyron Cunningham
Age: 14
Residence: Miami Gardens, FL
Story: Tyron is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and also suffered a stroke after birth which left him developmentally delayed as well. His previous manual wheelchair is broken and unfixable and his family has had to transport him to school in a stroller. The stroller is also too small for him and much too uncomfortable for him to sit in for extended periods of time. Tyron enjoys reading books, watching movies, playing X-Box, as well as going to school and riding his adaptive bicycle.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated an $8,000 custom-built wheelchair to Tyron on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Hot Rods & Reels fishing tournament at Homestead Speedway. The new wheelchair will allow Tyron to be transported to school and also use it at school as it’s much more comfortable for him to sit in. He will be able to participate in social activities, eat lunch with classmates, and use the computer. This gift of mobility to Tyron will not only allow him more independence, but he will able to participate in activities where his social nature and personality will be able to grow.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Luis Ind
Age: 9
Residence: Hialeah, FL
Story: Luis was born with Cerebral Palsy due to lack of oxygen at the time of his birth. He cannot walk and has limitations with fine and gross motor skills. Even with these obstacles, he attends school and uses a computer to do his assignments as well as communicate with people, all while getting good grades. His previous wheelchair was a manual chair, and because Luis is not strong enough to propel himself, he was always reliable on others for mobility.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated an $18,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Luis on Sunday, November 20, 2011. This new chair will allow Luis to have much more independence, as he will now be able to move around on his own. He will have more freedom at school and be able to keep up with his friends. The new wheelchair will provide Luis with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Stephan Moss
Age: 49
Residence: Deerfield Beach, FL
Story: In 2007 Stephan suffered a stroke and due to the lack of insurance, he did not receive proper physical therapy and was left paralyzed from the waist down. He is currently in a manual wheelchair, but it’s not specialized for him and is also dangerous as it does not restrain him properly. He currently enjoys spending time with his 3 children and attending their sporting events.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated an $18,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Stephan on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the 40th Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. This new wheelchair will allow Stephan to have the proper type of equipment he needs for proper safety and also provide him with much more independence. He hopes to attend vocational rehab and get a job working with computers. Needless to say, the donation by the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will provide Stephan with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jihoon Kim
Age: 28
Residence: Denver, CO
Story: Jihoon was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident in 2004. This injury has not kept him from pursuing all of his goals, as he is a college graduate, and currently working on his master’s degree. The challenges that he has faced has only given him more strength in his life. His family wasn’t able to purchase a new wheelchair for him, and his current wheelchair is 7 years old and dilapidated.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $15,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Jihoon at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado on Monday, October 10, 2011. The new wheelchair will allow Jihoon to continue his studies in a chair that will provide him with the needed comfort and quality that he rightly deserves. The power wheelchair will give Jihoon much more independence and a higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jacqueline Woomavahaugh
Age: 57
Residence: Norman, OK
Story: Jacqueline suffered a spinal cord injury in 1983 when she fell asleep while driving, causing her to hit a guardrail. Since that time, she has tried to stay very independent, but she has experienced additional injuries that have caused her more problems. The power chair that she had was unable to hold a charge, and also had too large of a frame and seat. She had requested a new chair through Medicare but has been denied twice in the past 3 years.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Jacqueline on Friday, October 21, 2011. The new wheelchair will allow Jacqueline to be much more comfortable than she was previously in her chair. The power wheelchair will give Jacqueline much more independence and a higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Camron Vaughn
Age: 4
Residence: Las Vegas, NV
Story: Camron is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which has caused him to rely on a wheelchair. His father recently retired from the military, and because of that, his healthcare benefits no longer allow him to obtain the wheelchair that Camron needed. Camron hopes to one day either be a police officer or pizza delivery man!
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation:The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $9,000 custom-built manual wheelchair to Camron at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino on Friday, September 23. Camron was on stage with the Darrell Gwynn Foundation as they sold the very special Barrett-Cuda car for $200,000, and his presence certainly helped the sale. The new wheelchair will allow Camron to start school and provide him with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Sergio Nunez
Age: 13
Residence: Hollywood, FL
Story: Sergio suffered a stroke when he was one year old, leading to a developmental delay. While his development was very slow, he was able to walk and run by the time he was 5. At this age, he began to have seizures, sometimes as many as 150 a day. He had brain surgery multiple times to control the seizures, but due to the surgeries, he is now very limited in mobility. He had to crawl around his house to get where he wanted to be, and can only use his right hand.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $17,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Sergio at “The Kid” Turns 50 & Helps 50 Kids event presented by duPont Registry and hosted by Ferrari-Maserati of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, September 10. The new wheelchair will allow Sergio to no longer be 100% dependent on others, and he will be able to move around independently at school. His school often hosts dances, and now he will be able to enjoy the dance without having to need someone to push him around. The new chair will provide Sergio with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jeremy Lowery
Age: 28
Residence: West Palm Beach, FL.
Story: Only 2 months after his 18th birthday, Jeremy was in a car accident after swerving to avoid a deer. His car flipped several times, and the accident left him a quadriplegic. Jeremy has very little family support, and has had to live in a nursing home since the accident. He had a power chair previously, but it was stolen in a matter of minutes from the outside of his friend’s apartment. While he has been through a lot, he still keeps a very positive attitude!
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $22,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Jeremy on his birthday, August 11, 2011. Jeremy was extremely excited to receive the chair, and said that the new chair will allow him to feel like he just learned to walk again, as it will open so many doors that have been closed for a long time. He now hopes to be able to move out of his nursing home and into an independent living situation, and begin pursuing his goal of going to college to study sociology and getting a job! The wheelchair will provide Jeremy with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Caleb Weaver
Age: 6
Residence: Bloomington, IN
Story: Caleb has a rare form of muscular dystrophy called Facioscapulohumeral. His mother suffers from the disease as well. His father takes care of his mother and him, while the whole family lives with Caleb’s grandfather. The family had previously requested a power wheelchair through insurance, but they were denied because they requested a special function that would allow Caleb to be lowered all the way to the floor.
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The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $22,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Caleb at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Presented by Lucas Oil on September 5, 2011. The new wheelchair will allow Caleb to play on the floor with his friends and participate in activities with his classmates at school. The new wheelchair will make it easier for Caleb’s father to take care of Caleb and his mother, all while providing Caleb with the independence that he needs.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Dolly Jackson
Age: 55
Residence: Charlotte, NC .
Story: Dolly suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury with quadriplegia after falling from a tree while trying to rescue her cat. Before the accident, Dolly was an independent, employed, self-sufficient woman who loved to garden. Since the accident, Dolly has been living in a nursing home, relying on others. Without insurance, Dolly was unable to get a power wheelchair on her own.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation:The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $17,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Dolly at the NHRA O’Reilly Auto Parts Nationals at the zMax Dragway on Sunday, September 18, 2011. The new wheelchair will allow Dolly to not have to rely on nurses to push her around. She will also be able to leave the facility and travel to the grocery store, museum, and other areas around the neighborhood, places she wasn’t able to go before. The power wheelchair will give Dolly much more independence and a higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Leroy Bruce Jr.
Age: 54
Residence: Miami, FL.
Story: Diagnosed with AIDS, the illness caused a tumor to grow in his spine at the thoracic level, which keeps him from being able to walk. He is currently a research participant at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He has shown a very good work ethic and his determination is praised by the staff at the Miami Project. Leroy lives in a group facility, as he has no alternative residence. While he is dealing with very difficult circumstances, he never complains about what he’s going through and maintains a positive attitude.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $7,000 custom-built manual wheelchair to Leroy at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis on Wednesday, July 20. Leroy’s previous wheelchair was in severe disrepair, and he didn’t have the means to purchase a new wheelchair on his own. He was identified as a candidate for the Wheelchair Donation Program by the Miami Herald’s Wishbook. The chair will now allow Leroy to be much more comfortable as he continues to fight his illness with determination and will allow him to continue his work with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Dylan Steinwand
Age: 9
Residence: Brandon, FL.
Story: Dylan suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is a very progressive form of Muscular Dystrophy and also the most severe type. He has been spending his days in a manual wheelchair, but because he is unable to propel himself, he always requires someone to push him. He is still able to take a few steps with a walker on his own, but in a few months, that will no longer be possible for him. The need for a power chair is very high. His health insurance had also recently denied him for a power chair.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $38,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Dylan at the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola in Daytona, Florida. While at the race, Dylan had the opportunity to meet and talk to many of NASCAR’s biggest stars, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kenny Wallace, Clint Bowyer, Michael Waltrip, Ryan Newman, and the race champion David Ragan. The new chair will allow Dylan to move around by himself and keep up with his friends. The donation by the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will provide him with much more independence!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Eduardo Reyes
Age: 21
Residence: Fullerton, CA.
Story: Eduardo is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. His previous wheelchair was having many mechanical issues and needed to be repaired, but because he is 21, he no longer qualified for California Children’s Services insurance coverage. Stuck in a difficult position, Eduardo needed a new chair. Without the means to obtain a chair on his own, he needed help from someone to improve his quality of life.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $20,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Eduardo at the unveiling of the Day Family Classic Cars Museum. The wheelchair was themed to match the 2011 Mustang GT 500 Convertible that was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson in Orange County on June, 25. The team at West Coast Customs customized the chair, matching it with the car to create a very unique wheelchair. With the new wheelchair and gift of mobility from the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Eduardo plans to enroll in vocation school with hopes of finding a job and becoming more independent.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jermaine Fairweather
Age: 25
Residence: Bronx, N.Y.
Story: In January of 2007, Jermaine was enjoying a night out with friends when he tragically robbed and shot for the jewelry he was wearing. While Jermaine has a very loving family, he has no money for care and thus has been living in a state run nursing facility since the injury occurred. He is currently living on a $30 a month allowance, and the nursing home takes every dollar he receives via insurance, so he has no way to obtain a wheelchair on his own.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $6,700 custom-built manual wheelchair to Jermaine at the Racer Appreciation Party hosted by Englishtown Raceway on June 2, 2011. The new chair will allow his wounds to properly heal, as the generic chair he was using at the nursing facility wasn’t designed to help him heal. The chair will allow Jermaine to continue his college education, where he is studying to become an electrical engineer technician. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys going to church, playing wheelchair basketball and baseball, and writing poetry. The wheelchair will provide Jermaine with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jonathan Gonzalez
Age: 24
Residence: Bronx, N.Y.
Story: On December 30, 2007 Jonathon’s life was forever changed. While he was standing on the steps outside of his home, he was tragically shot, leaving him a severe quadriplegic. The gunman was never found, and due to his scarce financial resources, he will probably never be able live outside of his nursing home, let alone buy his own wheelchair. Through all of this, Jonathon has an extremely positive attitude, and enjoys lifting the spirits of the others living with him in the nursing home.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $36,500 custom-built power wheelchair to Jermaine on the track at the NHRA SuperNationals in Englishtown, New Jersey on June, 5 2011. With the extent of Jonathon’s injury, he was 100% dependent on others for mobility before the donation of his new chair. Jonathon put what a new wheelchair would mean to him in words...”Getting a new wheelchair would help me a lot, in the sense that it enables me to regain some type of independence for myself. Instead of having people push me around in a regular manual chair, which gets really uncomfortable. My current chair is old and beat up, it’s a loaner so it was not made to fit me especially on top and it breaks down all the time. Also batteries die almost instantly and that is a huge pain because I can’t go long distances because I’m so afraid of getting stranded. I always need help and a push.” Needless to say, this wheelchair will provide Jermaine with a much higher quality of life and allow him to see his son grow up!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Christopher Torres
Age: 12
Residence: Miami, Fla.
Story: Diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, Christopher had been spending his days in a makeshift wheelchair created from a kitchen chair, a little wood, and wheels. The chair offered no support and made life even more difficult for Christopher. His family’s insurance does not allow for family medical equipment, making a wheelchair far too expensive for them to obtain on their own. Out of love and desperation, his father built this homemade wheelchair for his son.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated an $8,600 custom-built manual wheelchair to Christopher on stage at Barrett-Jackson Palm beach on April 9, 2011. Decorated with a Miami HEAT theme, the wheelchair’s tilt feature will allow Christopher to rest when he is stuck in places for an extended period of time. The wheelchair will also provide him with the support his previous chair lacked. He will now be able to move in and out of places easily. The wheelchair will provide Christopher with a much higher quality of life!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Genesis Cagle
Age: 11
Residence: Tampa, Fla.
Story: Diagnosed with Spina Bifida, Genesis needed a new wheelchair to offer her more mobility and independence. Genesis hopes one day to become a vet, as she loves dogs and the family has a Chihuahua. Her current wheelchair made her tired, as it was difficult for her to propel long distances. A former recipient of the Wheelchair Donation Program, Angelica Perez, told her that the Darrell Gwynn Foundation would be there to help.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $15,000 custom-built manual wheelchair with E-Motion wheels to Genesis on March 13, 2011 at Gainesville Raceway. The E-Motion wheels, a special feature, will enable Genesis to travel a much longer distance and give her 5x the distance a push on her previous wheelchair would have given her. It will allow her to keep up with her two younger sisters. The wheelchair, decorated in a Twilight Eclipse Theme, will certainly be a hit amongst her friends.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Jedidiah Gore
Age: 27
Residence: Miami, Fla.
Story: Jedidiah was born with Cerebral Palsy, has a history of chronic back pain with past surgery, and has muscle spasticity with atrophy of lower limbs. He’s a people person, who is very outspoken and doesn’t know how to stay quiet for too long. He enjoys the simple things in life, and is the Miami HEAT #1 fan. Jedidiah received a standing power wheelchair 7 years ago from Medicaid, however Medicaid no longer approves standing wheelchairs.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $33,500 custom-built standing power wheelchair to Jedidiah on April 5, 2011 at Wheels of Dreams event at John Staluppi’s Cars of Dreams Museum. The new wheelchair will provide Jedidiah with the quality of equipment he deserves, as his previous chair was worn down and would often leave him stranded. Along with the donation of a wheelchair, the Miami HEAT donated 3 tickets to the April 6, 2011 game, allowing Jedidiah to watch his first game in person, making the whole night even more memorable.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Luis Rivera, Jr.
Age: 30
Residence: Davie, Fla.
Story: At 23 years old, Luis was hit by a car. He was left with a traumatic brain injury, late effects of a Cerebrovascular Accident, which also lead to a seizure disorder. Luis is also unable to speak. Luis was spending his days in a manual chair, as insurance was continually denying his request for a power chair. He has no function of his right arm, which makes pushing his manual chair very difficult. For him to be able to maneuver his manual chair, he has to use his left foot to push himself backwards.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) John Cena themed custom-built power wheelchair to Luis at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Gala. The new wheelchair will make it much safer for him to exit his home, as the exit ramp is very steep and makes it difficult to control his manual wheelchair. With his new independence, he will be able to attend school and also get a job.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Tyrone Smith
Age: 40
Residence: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Story: Tyrone was in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. He now lives at the Wood Lake Nursing Center in West Palm beach, Fla.Although he receives great care there, he did not have access to a power wheelchair which would allow him to leave the nursing home at his leisure and live a more normal life. At one time he had access to a power wheelchair at another nursing home, but he became ill and was hospitalized. He lost his spot at that facility and his power wheelchair. Tyrone had to go through the agony of not only losing the use of his legs, but losing the use of a power wheelchair after.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Tyrone at the Wood Lake Nursing Center. An elated Tyrone said, "The Darrell Gwynn Foundation is wonderful. I feel like I got my legs back." The new wheelchair will allow him to get around the nursing home without the help of nurses, allow him to travel down the street to his favorite barber shop, visit his family frequently and just be more independent in general.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Kyle Darroch
Age: 11
Residence: Longwood, Fla.
Story: Kyle is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and his old wheelchair was uncomfortable for him. His mobility was very limited, it was a challenge for him to keep up with his classmates and school and he was not able to travel or get out of the house much to do all the fun things someone his age should be able to do. He was not able to acquire a new wheelchair through his health insurance provider.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 custom-built power wheelchair to Kyle at the Spectracide Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. Joined by several NASCAR Drivers including Max Papis, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle just to name a few. Kyle received his new life-changing wheelchair that will give him the gift of mobility, allow him to keep up with his classmates at school and travel more. Speaking of traveling...Kyle, a huge Orlando Magic fan, was given a Orlando Magic themed wheelchair and the Orlando Magic also donated 4 tickets to a game for Kyle and his family. With his new wheelchair he will be able to travel to his first Magic game.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Carlos Saez
Age: 32
Residence: Miami, Fla.
Diagnosis: Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Story: Carlos was working in a wheelchair at the University of Miami Medical Center that was provided by Medicaid, but failed to meet his needs. The wheelchair was often broken leading to Carlos preferring to use an older wheelchair with even less features that he needed. Carlos met Darrell Gwynn Foundation Co-Founder and Vice President Lisa Gwynn, whom also works at the University of Miami Medical Center and their Lisa learned of his needs for a new wheelchair.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation stepped in a provided Carlos with a brand new custom-built wheelchair valued at $16,000 that included power tilt, Supracor cushion seating with hip guides and an ergo back and a custom joystick. The donation was made at the 11th Full Throttle Show of Shows and Darrell Gwynn was joined by NHRA legend Joe Amato for the presentation. Carlos is a graduate of the University of Florida and his wheelchair was decorated in a Florida Gators theme.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Erasmo Portillo
Age: 15
Residence: Chandler, Ariz.
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida
Story: Erasmo had outgrown his wheelchair and his state funded Insurance program was maxed out and his physical therapy services had been denied. His insurance was only willing to make adjustments to his chair, not provide him with a new one. His physical therapist recommended that he acquire a power wheelchair to enhance the quality of his life. Erasmo was patient at Cardon Children’s Medical Center and after being contacted by the Darrell Gwynn Foundation inquiring of any patients in need of new equipment, the Cardon Medical Center referred Erasmo to the foundation.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 custom-built power wheelchair with features such as power tilt, a Sunrise Jay 2 Cushion and Ergo Back with laterals. The chair was given a soccer theme as Erasmo is a fan of the Mexican National Soccer team. The presentation was made live on SPEED Channel at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Allison Kerns
Age: 5
Residence: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Diagnosis: Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Story: Allison is a smart, fun-loving five-year-old. Known for being outgoing, Allison is currently seeking her second year as Goodwill Ambassador of Florida for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She attends kindergarten at Shore Acres Elementary School and she loves to play with her friends, have sleepovers and visit Disney World. She also has an affinity for fairies.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: Allison had outgrown her wheelchair and melted the hearts of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation when her mother told us she was going to ask Santa Claus for a new wheelchair for Christmas. Not qualifying for a new wheelchair through her health insurance, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation stepped in and presented to Allison on behalf of its donors a custom built $18,000 power wheelchair with a "fairy theme". Her parents kept it a surprise and in a ceremony at her elementary school with her family and friends at hand, Allison’s new wheelchair was unveiled. Elated and thankful, Allison gave us an even better gift; an adorable smile and appreciation for our gesture that we'll never forget!!
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Gabriel Vergara
Age: 29
Residence: Miami, Fla.
Diagnosis: Muscular Dystrophy
Story: Gabriel is an active volunteer at the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His work with the MDA involves mentoring, participating in fundraising events and public speaking. His role with the MDA is something he really enjoys. Gabriel moved to Miami from Columbia after obtaining a degree in microbiology. He has a dream to further his education at Florida International University in Miami with hopes to become a university professor. With no means of income due to his disability, Gabriel could not afford health insurance and was unable to obtain a life-changing wheelchair that would allow him to go back to school and in his words, "obtain gainful employment to become a productive member of society and self-sufficient."
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation presented a new customized $18,000 wheelchair to Gabriel at its annual Hot Rods & Reels Charity Fishing Tournament at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. At the event Gabriel had the opportunity to meet and mingle with 18 NASCAR Drivers including the likes of Carl Edwards, Darrell Waltrip, Ryan Newman, Max Papis, Martin Truex, Dave Blaney, Clint Bowyer, Joe Nemecheck, Regan Smith, Greg Sacks, Jamie McMurray, Bobby Labonte, Richard Childress, Bobby Allison, Kenny Schrader and J.J. Yehley. A very thankful Gabriel told Darrell Gwynn at the event. "I want you to know Darrell, when you go to bed tonight... that you helped change someone's life today. And I can't thank you enough for what you've done."
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Herminio Escalona
Age: 44
Residence: Hialeah, Fla.
Diagnosis: Medula Compression Causing Paralysis
Story: Hermino suffered a medulla compression in a car accident at age 42. In that moment his whole life would change as the accident left Herminio a quadriplegic. Adding to the tragedy, Herminio's insurance policy was cancelled just 10 days before the accident leaving him no means to cover his medical expenses. Herminio's loving sister Nirelenis became his caretaker, but the lack of a power wheelchair made it a difficult process for her to move Herminio around so he could attend therapy and get out more and live a better quality of life.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation presented Herminio with a $17,000 custom power wheelchair in front of a sold out Miami HEAT crowd at AmericanAirlinesArena. The presentation took place at halftime of a Miami HEAT game and Miami HEAT star Udonis Haslem joined the Darrell Gwynn Foundation and Herminio for the presentation. Hermino, a big HEAT fan, had the opportunity to see his first HEAT game since the accident, meet Udonis Haslem and appear on the court at halftime in his new "Miami HEAT" themed wheelchair. The new wheelchair will allow Herminio and his sister more mobility so he can do things such as attend HEAT games in the future.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Name: Matthew Palacios
Age: 8
Residence: Miami Lakes, Fla.
Diagnosis: Spina Bifida
Story: Matthew was born with the most severe type of spina bifida and needed a new wheelchair to enhance the quality of his life. Already in his young life, Matthew has inspired many to improve the quality of his life. The City of Miami Lakes designated and named a park that is wheelchair accessible after him called the "Matthew Palacios Boundless Park". Matthew also inspired his mother, Florencia Palacios to start her own not-for-profit foundation to help disabled children.
The Donation by Darrell Gwynn Foundation: The Darrell Gwynn Foundation donated a $16,000 custom built "X-Men themed" wheelchair to 8-year old Matthew at Optimist Park’s "Matthew Palacios Boundless Playground" during Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week. Matthew's custom wheelchair includes a standing feature which offers Matthew more independence. The wheelchair donation presentation included a special visit and performance for Matthew by X-Men character "Wolverine". Matthew is a fan of the X-Men comic series. "Wolverine" performed many acrobatic tricks for Matthew during the presentation and helped create a day that Matthew will never forget.
They Still Need Us and We Still Need You!
Please help us continue Making a Difference by making a donation to our Wheelchair Donation
Program and help the next deserving recipient get a life changing wheelchair.
No donation is too small!!
Dear Mrs. Gwynn,
I hope you have a blessed Christmas together with your wonderful family.
Last year I had the privilege of receiving the Darrell Gwynn foundation's generous donation of a power chair, and things have improved very much for me because of that. I've graduated with a PhD in molecular biology and I am now working in Daniel Leibl's lab at the Miami Project, and my stamina and
independence have improved a lot.
I am extremely grateful for your generous gift, and I pray that your family will be blessed with good health and prosperity for the Holidays and the New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Claudiu Nelersa, PhD
Postdoctoral Associate
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
Dear everyone at the Darrell Gwynn Foundation,
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the state-of-the art power wheelchair that the Darrell Gwynn Foundation gave our son, Lewis. Lewis is busy figuring out the controls and loves to go up and down in his new chair. We really believe this chair will provide Lewis with so much more independence than his manual chair. Kids at the park are in awe of his “ride” and they want to try it! More good news- a pediatrician Heather’s father knows recently donated a full-size van with a lift to our family to enable us to go on outings with the chair as a family!
We had such a great time at the Barrett-Jackson auction. Everyone was so nice and helpful. The Darrell Gwynn Foundation has changed our lives forever! We can't wait to watch Lewis grow and explore his world in his own customized power chair. We really can't thank you enough!
Thank you all so much!
Love,
Wade, Heather, Wilson, Anna & Lewis!
Dear Mr. Gwynn,
I would like to thank you again so much for the new chair. I’m no longer in pain when I sit in my chair for long periods of time. Thanks to you, everyone keeps calling me a “celebrity.” I just think it’s amazing that someone like you would go out of your way to GIVE people wheelchairs when they can’t get one of their own. I also wanted to tell you that, for years I’ve tried to figure out what I could do when I grow up but now that I’ve met you, I know what I want to do. I want to do what you do; I want to help others like me. Basically, you’ve become my role model.
Your Friend,
Randy Simone
Hello Darrell, Erica, and team:
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and your fantastic team at the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. To say I feel sincerely blessed would be a gross understatement. The caring and encouragement I felt from your team at the 2010 Gator Nationals on Sunday, March 14th, was truly amazing. From the time I was told I was approved, to the time of the presentation of the$25,000 Powerchair, your foundation has been first class. I was amazed at the quick and precise fashion at which everything happened. I guess it makes sense as that is how a winning Racing Team operates! It has certainly changed my life. I guess as I heard your mother say you do "Win with Gwynn"!
Before, I would spend most of my time attempting to be comfortable in a scooter that had not met my needs medically for quite sometime. Now, because of the great work of Angel at DMR and being provided the tilt and recline features that I have long needed, has been absolutely terrific. It allows me to relieve the back pain at anytime by just adjusting the seat. Also, having the seat elevator helps with transfers and adjusting to table heights wherever I may go.
If there is anything I can take away from this experience it's that there is hope even when it may not seem like it's possible. Everybody needs to know that there are wonderful organizations like yours that exist to help less fortunate individuals. Personally, I am looking forward to being much more productive person.
Please feel free to call on me if there is anything I can do to further the cause of the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. I am anxious to "pay it forward".
Sincerely yours,
Brian Robinson
Juno Beach, FL
Dear Meghan,
On behalf of all of us at Canine Companions for Independence, I want to express heartfelt thanks for The Darrell Gwynn Foundation’s generous donation of a new power wheelchair.
As you can imagine, it is essential to the success of our program that our trainers have access to the most up-to-date equipment so they can properly train our future assistance dogs to be excellent canine partners for children and adults with disabilities.
The majority of the candidates who visit our campus to go through training to receive their assistance dogs use modern equipment like the power chair the Gwynn Foundation donated to our organization. In the past, we had to rely on using manual wheelchairs to train the dogs for their future jobs as canine companions. However, now our trainers can prepare the dogs to interact with and respond to a modernized wheelchair, which will help them further develop the important skills needed to be a valuable companion to a person with a disability.
We really cannot thank all of you enough at The Darrell Gwynn Foundation for your immense kindness and generosity.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer Trombino
Development Associate
Canine Companions for Independence, Southeast Region
