As the end of the 2022 school year came to a close, Katie Loeb was trying to figure out a way to allow her students more freedom during school hours. Freedom that most students take for granted: the freedom to simply move. A lot of Katie’s students can’t walk or safely ambulate due to varying neurological conditions and her role as a school’s physical therapist is to help these incredible children make new neurological pathways to regain these functions. It’s no small feat and one that demands the support of community.
Katie’s school, Danbury Elementary, is home to the orthopedic impairments/multiple disability program for the East San Gabriel Valley in California. Their program is responsible for educating dozens of children with varying physical and cognitive impairments each school year—and they do it quite well.
“Danbury is a really incredible school. The staff is some of the most kind-hearted, industrious, thoughtful people I’ve ever known. They share a passion for helping children,” Katie wrote to us. “We have children with a variety of diagnoses including cerebral palsy, intractable epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, anoxic brain injury, and more.”
There are two preschool classes set up specifically for these students led by amazing special education teachers Pamela Kane and Mary Garcia-Reyes. When asked what could make the classroom environment better Katie knew exactly what she wanted: “Two Firefly Scoot wheelchairs. One for each classroom.”
“While in school we can order a great many devices, wheelchairs aren’t among them because they are deemed ‘personal medical equipment’,” Katie informed us.
The reason why she thinks the Scoots are ideal additions to the classroom is “because they’re low to the ground like all the toys and easier to propel than many other wheelchairs due to the size and materials. The Scoots would allow students who haven’t yet achieved independent mobility to have potentially new access to toys and social opportunities.”
Done. Sold. Where do we sign? The Scoots are yours. ;)
Holton’s Heroes ordered two Scoots that were delivered within a few short weeks. Students were able to start the new school year with two amazing new devices at their disposal.
“One of the kids we’ve been working on mobility solutions for due to severe visual and orthopedic impairments climbed in and immediately began propelling himself. He spent 15 happy minutes motoring around the room all on his own,” Katie joyfully told us. “It was one of those moments where something you imagined comes to life and man, I will not forget that anytime soon.”
She also told us of another child who’s become quite obsessed with the Scoot as it’s allowed him to participate in outdoor activities once deemed impossible. “Every time they tried to take him out he would absolutely lose his cool with them. It was the cutest,” Katie says.
Thanks to our amazing community we were able to gift these important tools to Danbury Elementary to be used by students for years to come. We are only able to continue to help kids recovering from brain injuries with your support, so please consider donating directly to our foundation today. Donate safely here.
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“[Receiving the Scoots] was one of those moments where something you imagined comes to life and man, I will not forget that anytime soon. Thank you again for this amazing gift for these kids.”
Check out some of our other heroes from 2021
“Tonight, we feel the power of humanity in a bath chair. Go figure. Some people feel excited about cars and other luxuries, but here I am just wanting my boy to be bathed safely,” Joshua mom wrote to us after her son received his gift from Holton’s Heroes.