Though unable to verbalize her feelings, it was obvious to all those present last week that Marissa McIntosh was happy with her new ride.
Four-year-old Marissa, who struggles with global development delay, was presented with a new adapted tricycle on Sept. 23, thanks to the generosity of several local community groups.
“She laughed, giggled, and clapped. She was pretty excited,” said mom Sheri McIntosh. “She was quite pleased the trike was back.”
On the advice of her daughter’s physiotherapist, Sheri arranged this summer to borrow one of the trikes to see Marissa’s reaction. Sheri was blown away when Marissa started to pedal on her own and beamed a bright smile, indicating she was having a blast.
But when she found out the cost – about $1,570 – Sheri was unsure Marissa would ever have a trike of her own.
Global development disorder has left Marissa unable to talk and she struggles with both large and fine motor skills, which means there are many other important, and often expensive, items she needs on a daily basis, including a walker.
And Sherri and her husband Jason are also raising two other children – Kaitlin, 13, and Colton, 2 – out of their home on Highway 9, east of Teviotdale.
So, not having the money themselves, the family contacted “wish” foundations and grant programs, but was told Marissa did not qualify for help, despite the obvious benefits the trike would have on her balance, coordination, and strength.
That’s when Sheri began writing local service clubs to see if there was any way they could assist with the purchase.
“It was too much to ask, but it just seemed like it was a big ‘yes’ from the get-go,” Sheri said.
Not three months after sending out the letters, a new trike was delivered to the McIntosh home, at no cost to the family. In all, contributions were received from the Arthur Lions, Moorefield Optimists, Moorefield OptiMrs, Drayton Kinsmen, Drayton Rotary, and the Drayton United Church congregation.
“To see that kind of response to something like this was overwhelming,” Sheri said. “I was really shocked and overjoyed by the support.”
Having grown up in Drayton, Sherri said the gift is even more special considering it came from local groups in small, tight-knit communities, where money is not at everyone’s finger tips and there are so many other worthy causes to support.
“The gratitude we have for these clubs is unbelievable. I can’t say enough good things about them,” she said, highlighting the role played by Bob Bignell, president of the Drayton Rotary Club.
“The amount of personal time Bob spent on this was amazing. He was a big key in making this happen.”
Bignell, however, remained humble about his contribution.
“It wasn’t just one person or one group … We’re small groups and sometimes we can’t do it on our own, but together we can get it done,” he said.
“We are most proud that the service clubs of the area were able to come together to meet the needs of a community member.”
