TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area organization dedicated to helping children with physical disabilities is on a mission to help kids live their best lives.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids provides families with everything from medical equipment, home and vehicle modifications to exciting experiences.
“We’re there for our families. Once you’re in, you’re in. You are family,” said Madeline Robinson, executive director.
The Wheely Fun Days inclusion program also offers adventures.
“Doing things they could never, ever do like going water skiing, snow skiing and camp, and climbing walls,” said Robinson.
The annual Wheely Good Time fundraiser recently kicked off, which helps the nonprofit continue its mission of helping families like the Griggs. Sixteen-year-old Kiley has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair-bound.
From recieving equipment and wheelchairs, to an adaptive bike and access to adventures, the family is grateful.
“It allows Kiley to do things and get exercise, go out, she can be a part of the community," said Kiley's father, Jason. "It builds confidence for Kiley, it’s one of the most important things."
The 10th-grader recently enjoyed attending an adaptive camp in Georgia.
“I got to do a ropes course, and notoriously ropes courses are inaccessible, but I was able to actually able to pull myself through the obstacle course like the people were doing next to me, and I was able to do it all independently with my hands,” said Kiley.
The teen is also proud of her time on the slopes.
“It was so fun and I actually went higher than my dad did on a slope,” said Kiley.
Jason and Lori Griggs hope to keep seeing that confidence continue to build in their daughter.
“It brings a lot of normalcy,” said Jason.
Robinson says that sense of normalcy can be brought to more families through supporting fundraisers like “Wheely Good Time.” More than 150 donated items are being auctioned off online.
Things available to bid on include everything from signed sports memorabilia and jewelry to handbags and trips.
“We’ve also got a trip on the Goodyear Blimp for two people. That’s our big item for the year,” said Robinson.
Money raised will help continue the mission. The event raised about $142,000 last year. Robinson hopes to exceed that this year by raising $150,000.
Robinson says support is always needed but this year the need is especially high.
“Some of our families have lost their homes, their equipment, so this event really helps us raise funds to achieve our mission and keep going,”
The organization was there when the Griggs' wheelchair-accessible family home was impacted by the recent storms.
“We got displaced because of hurricane Helene, homeless as can be, condo completely wiped out,” said Jason Griggs. “And we get a call right away, what do you guys need? “We’re like, 'We need a bath chair because we just lost our adaptive bathroom,”' We had a brand new bath chair delivered to our house instantly, like that day.”
From equipment to adventures, confidence and inclusion, the Griggs say they are grateful for the organization that has given so much.
“They’ve given so many firsts to so many kids,” said Jason Griggs.
“It feels amazing,” adds Kiley.
“It’s so rewarding to see the kids smiling,” said Robinson.