Day 2 Grant Presentation - Joel McCubben - Moruya

Posted: 23 October 2007

The K4K provided two grants today in the small country town of Moruya on the NSW South Coast. Joel McCubben was provided with a new Saddle Walker and Gemme Chandler with a new Sleepform System. With the conditions taking their toll on the riders an "executive committee" of John Maclean and rider representative Bob van Aken travelled ahead of our ride group to meet with the beautiful ladies from the South Coast branch of the Spastic Centre and to catch up and present the equipment to Joel and his family.

Joel is an eight-year-old boy who lives at home with his mother and sister. His condition, Arthrogryposis, limits his functional independence. Joel mobilises in an electric wheelchair, which he drives with his feet. Joel uses his feet and legs for all functional activities of daily living and took to his saddle walker like a duck to water and was zooming around the place in a matter of seconds. The Saddle Walker will make school like and access to recreational activities so much easier for Joel and is a piece of equipment that the family had been waiting a long time for.

For 3 year old Gemma Chandler the K4K provided Gemma with a Sleepform Sleep System, which will help to prevent her muscle contractures. Gemma is soon to have surgery on her hips and the positioning system will allow her to sleep in comfort following her surgery and will play an important part in reducing any pain. Gemma suffers from an unnamed genetic disorder. At eight weeks of age, Gemma was diagnosed with profound cerebral palsy including quadriplegia and has cortical vision and a severe vision impairment. Gemma is prone to sever muscle spasticity and contractures.

Rider representative Bob van Aken spoke of the fantastic fundraising effort of each of the participating riders and how being at the presentation really drove home the reason that this ride is being conducted.

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