Mikayla’s Mother Says “Inclusion”
Dear H.A.L.O. Foundation,
Mikayla is our beautiful daughter. Born with brain damage, she is completely dependent on others for all her care.
Unable even to hold up her head, she can not sit in a car and transferring to a specialized car seat would be most difficult, if not impossible, as she has grown older. We are most grateful to the HALO Foundation for the grant to help with the cost of our new rear-entry, wheelchair-accessible mini-van conversion. Our prior vehicle had over 175,000 miles, was over twelve years old and on its second transmission.
Despite her disabilities, we have always strived to include Mikayla in our local community and schools, as well as all our family activities.
Six years ago, her third-grade classmates wrote and illustrated a book about having friend with a disability. Our Friend Mikayla was published in late 2006 and has been read by and to children across the country. Inspired by the book’s success, the kids’ efforts and the importance of their message, we have founded Mikayla’s Voice. An acronym for the Voice Of Inclusion for Children Everywhere, we are a non-profit organization which inspires kids of all abilities to share the message of inclusion.
Mikayla will likely never speak a word, but with the help of her friends she finally has a "voice." Together we travel across the state and beyond to share her story and the value and benefits of inclusion.
Without our new handicapped accessible vehicle we would not be able to continue our efforts. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the HALO Foundation for your support of our daughter, her inclusion, and our efforts.
Hugs,
Kim, Michael, Mikayla and Lauren
Charlie Can Visit His Family Again
Dear H.A.L.O. Foundation,
Mikayla is our beautiful daughter. Born with brain damage, she is completely dependent on others for all her care.
Unable even to hold up her head, she can not sit in a car and transferring to a specialized car seat would be most difficult, if not impossible, as she has grown older. We are most grateful to the HALO Foundation for the grant to help with the cost of our new rear-entry, wheelchair-accessible mini-van conversion. Our prior vehicle had over 175,000 miles, was over twelve years old and on its second transmission.
Despite her disabilities, we have always strived to include Mikayla in our local community and schools, as well as all our family activities.
Six years ago, her third-grade classmates wrote and illustrated a book about having friend with a disability. Our Friend Mikayla was published in late 2006 and has been read by and to children across the country. Inspired by the book’s success, the kids’ efforts and the importance of their message, we have founded Mikayla’s Voice. An acronym for the Voice Of Inclusion for Children Everywhere, we are a non-profit organization which inspires kids of all abilities to share the message of inclusion.
Mikayla will likely never speak a word, but with the help of her friends she finally has a "voice." Together we travel across the state and beyond to share her story and the value and benefits of inclusion.
Without our new handicapped accessible vehicle we would not be able to continue our efforts. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the HALO Foundation for your support of our daughter, her inclusion, and our efforts.
Hugs,
Kim, Michael, Mikayla and Lauren
Charlie Can Visit His Family Again
A very grateful mother says the portable ramp H.A.L.O. gave to her family has made it possible for her son to leave his nursing home and spend every other weekend with them.
“For years we were bringing Charlie to his grandmother’s house every two weeks,” Kathy B. told H.A.L.O., “but then she moved into a nursing home and we were unable to take Charlie to her.”
Because the family home is inaccessible to wheelchair users, and Charlie, is now too large for his father to lift alone, the 27-year-old didn’t see much of his family for a while. Kathy couldn’t drive because she was wheelchair bound with rheumatoid arthritis until recently but she is now able to walk following knee replacements.
Although Charlie is unable to speak or control his limbs, Kathy said he thrives in the wonderful environment at his nursing home, but she missed him terribly.
“H.A.L.O.’s gift has been a blessing. Charlie gets to see my daughter and son, my mother and the grandchildren – everyone! We appreciate it so much,” she said.
She thinks Charlie seems to appreciate the time they spend together, too.
“He knows us, we’re his family.”
“For years we were bringing Charlie to his grandmother’s house every two weeks,” Kathy B. told H.A.L.O., “but then she moved into a nursing home and we were unable to take Charlie to her.”
Because the family home is inaccessible to wheelchair users, and Charlie, is now too large for his father to lift alone, the 27-year-old didn’t see much of his family for a while. Kathy couldn’t drive because she was wheelchair bound with rheumatoid arthritis until recently but she is now able to walk following knee replacements.
Although Charlie is unable to speak or control his limbs, Kathy said he thrives in the wonderful environment at his nursing home, but she missed him terribly.
“H.A.L.O.’s gift has been a blessing. Charlie gets to see my daughter and son, my mother and the grandchildren – everyone! We appreciate it so much,” she said.
She thinks Charlie seems to appreciate the time they spend together, too.
“He knows us, we’re his family.”
