Eight-year-old Cale Jenkins is looking forward to being more independent next year.
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But it will depend on the generosity of shire residents this Christmas.
Cale has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair.
Cale’s mum, Janine Jenkins has to lift him and and out of his wheelchair to go anywhere in the family van.
This is becoming increasing difficult as he gets older and bigger and takes a lot of time.
The family needs to upgrade their van so that Cale can wheel his chair straight in without his mum having to lift him.
They have fundraised $40,0000 which is half of the $80,000 needed for the new Kia Carnival that can accommodate his wheelchair.
Then the NDIS will cover the cost of the vehicle.
The family is very active and Cale loves to get out and about so a new car would make life much easier for them to enjoy time together.
“We currently have a Nissan Elgrand and I have to lift him in and and out of the wheelchair whenever we go out,” Cale’s mum, Janine said.
“This is a strain as it is getting harder to get him out and about.
“Cale is very social and likes to do the ordinary things that other kids do that most of us take for granted, like going to the park.
“He’s learning wheelchair basketball and trying wheelchair rugby league.”
The Kia Carnival will be large enough to put in a ramp so that Cale will be able to get in and out of the van in his wheelchair.
“It will allow him to be as independent as he wants to be,” Janine said.
The family has started a crowdfunding page.
Cale is a beneficiary of the St George Children with a Disabilities Fund Inc (www.stgeorgefund.com.au) who are a local not for profit helping families in the St George and Sutherland Shire raise money for equipment and therapies for their children.
Cale actually went on a skiing trip earlier this year and learnt how to sit ski with the help of the fund.
The fund has also being able to raise funds for an all terrain wheelchair which helps Cale get about.
Cale's crowdfunding campaign is a project of the Fund and all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
