Our grandson, Austin is a vibrant and spirited young man that is cruelly afflicted with FSH (FacioScapuloHumeral) muscular dystrophy, a progressive non-lethal form of the disease.

Austin was quite skilled at sports, playing competitive hockey, baseball and soccer until his family began noticing something was off, he was 8yrs old. Over the next 18 months extensive testing revealed the terrible news, the muscles in his arms and legs were not developing normally. Further genetic testing showed that he did not have a 'classic case' of FSH, as it had insinuated itself into additional, uncommon muscle groups. His family assisted Austin in ensuring that he continued to explore many physical activities, providing memories of his early childhood physical prowess.

Once muscle deterioration made involvement in mainstream sports more frustrating and even dangerous, Austin got involved in electric wheelchair sports to ease him through the horrible transition from full physical ability to life in a wheelchair. 

He skied with Canadian Adaptive Disabled Skiing (CADS), and he played electric wheelchair hockey, even representing Canada in several international tournaments, including the World's, in Italy in 2018. 

He misses the outdoors most of all and, at the age of 17 when Make a Wish came asking if there was anything they could do to assist, Austin never hesitated, "I want a tracked wheelchair". They gave him a wonderful experience with his favourite NHL hockey team, the Ottawa Senators, even conducting interviews with players and coaches for TSN, but his true wish was too expensive.

Now, at 25 yrs of age, a used tracked wheelchair has come up for sale locally and his family is asking for community support to assist in raising the required funds. This is much more than a wheelchair, take a look here

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18B5XmeoXx/

Austin has taken the unit out for a test drive that clearly showed it will be an asset to greatly assist him, to once again begin enjoying simple outdoor activities like snow removal, lawn maintenance, collecting firewood and hunting/fishing adventures.

This additional mobility is only possible with our goal to raise 75% of the $13,000 purchase price of the unit. We will purchase and transport the unit directly to Austin's home once the campaign concludes. Thank you all for your consideration.

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