Grant funding gave Hanaa a lightweight wheelchair alternative, making daily outings easier and more accessible
Life is full for Surrey parents Echo and Chance as they raise their three children: ten-year-old Hanaa and her two younger siblings Oxford and Hope. Echo cares for their kids at home while completing early childhood education courses online, and Chance works as a chef at a private school.
Hanaa has developmental delays and a form of retinal dystrophy, causing significant vision impairment. “Most of the time she understands what we say, but she can’t always express herself,” Echo says. “We ask her lots of questions, and sometimes she can repeat the last few words back to us.”
Hanaa uses a wheelchair, and the strain of lifting and transferring her, as well as getting her chair in and out of the car, takes a toll on her parents.
“The wheelchair we had was heavy and hard to transport,” Echo says. “We can’t bring it when we go to the park or something. It made simple outings, even going to the grocery store, really difficult.”
Hanaa needs a supportive seat to hold her upright, and her parents need to constantly find alternative options for her, like grabbing a second grocery cart. They needed a more sustainable solution that could help both Hanaa and the family.
“When I saw that there were adaptive strollers designed for Hanaa’s size, that really stuck with me,” Echo says. “I assumed they must be very expensive, but I asked about it, that’s when I learned we could apply for funding from Variety BC. That was the first time I heard of them and they’ve been part of our life ever since.”
Through a grant from Variety, the family was able to access a portable, lightweight stroller designed specifically for Hanaa. The impact has been profound. Hanaa can now participate more easily in family activities, and it’s made getting around much easier for her parents.
“It’s made a big difference in our daily life. It’s allowed Hanaa to join more family outings and feel more comfortable and included,” Echo says. “It’s always in our car now, ready to go. She laughs and giggles when we push her stroller faster—she really likes to go fast.”
Hanaa is currently in second grade and loving school. She’s well supported by a dedicated educational assistant who helps her navigate her classroom and activities. “She looks forward to the morning when friends greet her and the EA helps her join in. It’s a highlight of her day,” Echo says.
Yet across BC, thousands of families with kids with complex health needs face the stress of not knowing if they can afford the resources their children need. While public funding offers a foundation, it doesn’t cover everything—and those gaps are more significant for kids like Hanaa who require many layers of support.
“Life is much easier for us with this equipment,” Echo says. “We are lucky, we always meet these kind people. Right now, we have this help from Variety and Hanaa’s medical team. We are so grateful.”