“Far more than a wheelchair”

Earlier this year Joshua Pask and his family submitted an Individual Grant
application to the Cerebral Palsy Society asking for a collapsible wheelchair.
Their application was successful and after a couple of months of using
the wheelchair, the family wrote to tell us what it means
to them and the difference it has made in their lives. 

By Nigel, Christine and Joshua Pask

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the generous funding grant that enabled us to purchase a collapsible transit wheelchair for our son Joshua. It is difficult to fully express what this grant means to us.

“You have not simply helped us buy a piece of equipment—you have given us the freedom to spend more time together as a family and to include Josh in the everyday moments that mean so much to us.

“Josh’s everyday wheelchair does not collapse and cannot fit in our car. Because of this, even a simple family outing has often required a great deal of planning, or has not been possible at all. We have usually had to visit shopping malls or hardware stores where we could borrow a wheelchair, rather than being free to choose somewhere we would all genuinely enjoy.

“The new transit wheelchair has already changed what is possible for us. On Father’s Day, we were able to place it in the car and take Josh out for lunch somewhere we had chosen together.

“For many families, going out for lunch may be an ordinary thing. For us, it felt extraordinary.”

“We could simply be together, celebrate the day, and enjoy Josh’s company without worrying about how we would transport his chair. That memory will stay with us for a long time.

“Josh lives in a supported living home (with three other young adults whom he has done all his schooling with) and is able to go out with them in their wheelchair-accessible van.

“As his family, however, our own outings with him have been limited. We have often needed to arrange for Josh to be dropped off and picked up, which can make spontaneous family time almost impossible. We love going out for lunch at cafés and, when the weather is kind, taking picnics to the beach.

“Being able to put Josh’s transit wheelchair into our own car means we can now share more of these simple, precious experiences with him.

“Your support has given us far more than a wheelchair.

“It has given us choice, independence, and the chance to make even greater memories with Josh.”

“Most importantly, it means he can be fully included in our family adventures—not as something that has to be carefully arranged, but simply as part of our family.

“We are deeply touched by your kindness and generosity. Every lunch together, every picnic, and every outing we can now enjoy will be a reminder of the difference you have made in our lives. Your support truly means the world to us.”

 

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