King’s Kids

Joey

Joey is 1 year old and is being treated for plagiocephaly and Hemifacial microsomia (HFM). HFM is a condition in which the tissue on one side of the face is underdeveloped, affecting primarily the ear, mouth, and jaw areas. His bones (right side of his face) just don’t grow at the same rate as the left. Joey will always have facial
asymmetry, but the Cranial Remolding Helmet will help with some asymmetry while at the same time fixing the Plagiocephaly. RKCF is proud to have provided a Cranial Remolding Helmet.

Joey’s mother stated, “As a parent it is always hard to know that your little one will face challenges in life unique to him. All you want to do as a parent, is make their road ahead as smooth as possible. Unfortunately, money and financial security do play a big role in paving this road. My husband and I both work hard to provide for our children. This road has been bumpy for us, and ends are hard to meet. My son will face a lifetime of challenges and personal obstacles, but knowing that there is an organization like the RKCF to help support parents/caregivers and children in their travels both physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially, makes this journey easier to navigate. From the bottom of our hearts, we share our sincerest thanks and appreciation.”

Tyler

RKCF is pleased to help provide Tyler, who has Autism, with a special needs positioning car seat with a 5 point harness. He struggled to fit into his standard size car seat. Tyler is 60 pounds, but it is not safe for him to use a booster seat due to eloping and safety concerns. His standard car seat was too snug on his shoulders and chest.

The new car seat is much more comfortable and gives his parents the peace of mind that his safety needs are being met.

Angeline is a 12-year old girl who is unable to walk on her feet. She recently immigrated from Haiti with her family. She has had a lifelong history of walking on her knees. She has been diagnosed with bilateral lower extremity clubfeet and flexion contractors. The doctor says the only way to correct this condition would be to amputate the lower leg and fit her with prosthesis. Angline’s school requested a juvenile wheelchair, because she was propelling herself in a companion wheelchair for adults.  This caused intense shoulder pain and she frequently had to leave class for treatment. Ricky King Children’s Fund was happy to provide Angeline with the juvenile wheelchair she needed.  She is extremely happy to have a wheelchair that fits and doesn’t cause her pain.

 Allie is 6-years old and has been diagnosed with Spina Bifida.  Ricky King Children’s Fund purchased Allie a therapeutic tricycle.

Letter from Allie’s mother

I’m the mother of an amazing little girl Allie. She was born with Spina Bifida, and uses a wheelchair full time. Allie is your typical 1^st grader who loves to play with her friends; Barbie’s and especially loves to be outside. She is a very active little girl.

Like most kids she wants to ride bikes with her friends, unfortunately she can’t keep up with them in her wheel chair, so she always wishing and asking when she can have her own bicycle.

I am very thankful to Ricky King Children’s Fund for providing Allie with an adaptive bicycle of her own. She’s amazing little girl that has a great spirit that touches everyone she meets; she has had many struggles in her short life and doesn’t complain or feel sorry for herself.

Victor is 16-years old and has many diagnosis, including Spastic Quadriplegic Palsy and Epilepsy. He lives with his mother and sister. Victor was in need of a new Hoyer Lift.
The lift that they’ve been using since Victor was very young is broken and costs as much as a new lift to fix. The lifts that Medicaid will cover do not provide the support and positioning that Victor’s body requires due to his many hip and leg surgeries.Victor’s mother wrote the following to RKCF:
My son Victor has many health conditions including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, kidney stones, Gerd, gastric ulcer, osteoporosis and hypothyroid. He has had 5 surgeries on his hips and legs. Victor is a fragile child and I am in need of an electric Hoyer lift. I’m asking for your help because Medicaid, Children’s Medical Services, and Medicaid Waiver have not been able to provide me with any assistance to purchase a new electric Hoyer lift. I also do not have the resources to buy one myself. Without an electric Hoyer lift, Victor is always in bed all the time which worsens his health condition because it can create ulcers, which prevents any of his movements. Due to his body weight, I can not carry him by myself. I’m asking you Ricky King Foundation for your assistance. I appreciate all your cooperation and the help you can give me.                      After receiving the lift Victor’s mother wrote the following thank you:
I want to acknowledge and appreciate you for helping my family. I’m thankful and blessed that I was given a miracle and that you were kind to help. Thank you so much. May God Bless you and keep doing wonderful things happening to people lives.

Ricky King Children’s Fund received a request for a 7-year old girl that has been diagnosed with Agenisis of the Corpus Collosum, Cornelia DeLange Syndrome, GERD/Esophageal Reflux, Unspecified epilepsy without mention of intractable epilepsy and Cellulitis and abscess of trunk. Alison has seizures throughout the night.The family and physician recommended the SleepSafe Bed so that she would be safe at night. Medicaid and her insurance would not cover the bed. They would only cover a standard hospital bed. She was sleeping in a hospital bed, prior to our help. Alison’s mother wrote the following:“Alison has seizures at night and becomes stuck in the railings. This bed for Allie would provide her a safe place to sleep. Right now, we have two side rails on her bed. She has managed to totally wedge herself in between the mattress and the side rail, leaving sometimes horrible bruising, pulling out her feeding tube, or making the alarm on her feeding tube go off, all night. I have caught her a few times, caught so far down in between the mattress and side rail that her face was pressed against the mattress making if difficult for her to breathe. I am up and down all night checking on her, as I am terrified one of these nights she will get trapped and suffocate. We have put little pillows down there, but they don’t help much.” The original request for the bed was for $5,099. We were able to find a used bed with a new mattress of the same model for $2,497. The family was very helpful in the efforts to find a less expensive option. Below is letter from her mother and a picture of her in her old bed and in her new SleepSafe Bed. “My little girl sleeping safely in her new bed last night! I cannot tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been able to put her to bed at night, and not worry about her suffocating herself. Words could not begin to express the gratitude! ! And go figure, she actually slept all night, not something that she has done much of recently!”

Sophia

Sophia is a 2 year old that has been diagnosed with Agenesis of Corpus Callosum and Noonan Syndrome. She has no independent mobility and is unable to sit alone and requires support. Sophia needed additional equipment for her wheelchair. Medicaid covered the cost of the wheelchair, but not the additional equipment. Ricky King Children’s Fund approved these additional items that allow Sophia to sit up straight with much needed support.

Courtney

Courtney is 14 years old and was diagnosed with Schizencephaly at birth. Her condition has left her without motor skills and no ability to sit up, stand up or walk on her own. Courtney’s movement requires assistance at all times. She loves to ride in the car because it allows her to see different things. Courtney had outgrown the carseat that she had since 2003, so her enjoyable car rides were restricted. No normal carseat would fit her special needs.The new seat provided by Ricky King Children’s Fund accommodates her increase in size and provides security and support. Now Courtney is able to safely and comfortably enjoy car rides again!

Aileen

Aileen is 3-years-old. She is hearing impaired. Medicaid will only cover one cochlear implant, which she received in 2010. Aileen’s father is a field worker and her mother provides childcare for migrant children during season. They have worked very hard to save and raise the majority of the funds necessary to pay for the other cochlear implant. We are happy to say that we were able to contribute towards the surgery.Aileen has profound hearing loss. The fund contributed towards the cost of a cochlear implant.

Jesus

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund, Thank you so much for your generosity you have shown my son Jesus. This entire situation has caught our entire family off guard, we are just try to guide our selves down this bumpy road. This ramp will make it possible to transport my son to church, doctors appointments as well as the hospital when needed. Thank you for opening your door and giving us the opportunity to give him more independence.Thank you, Jesus’ MotherJesus has had several strokes. Jesus suffers from Hydrocephalus ex-vacuo, which occurs when stroke or traumatic injury cause damage to the brain. The fund provided a wheelchair ramp.

Andrew

Andrew is 3-years old and unable to sit-up on his own. At school he had a corner therapy chair that gave the trunk support needed. However, at home Andrew didn’t have this chair and he spent the majority of time laying down. The fund was able to purchase the corner chair Andrew needed. The corner chair provides postural control that is essential for visual scanning and attending, breathing, speaking and eating. The corner shape-backed assists children who are unstable in sitting to free their arms and hands for play.Andrew suffers from an abnormal chromosome. The fund purchased a corner chair for Andrew.

Mark

Prior to receiving a special needs stroller, Mark’s mother wrote, “I just wish to be able to take my son out for a walk to places for him to enjoy and that my other two kids would be able to enjoy life too. He is 11 years old and weighs 71 pounds so a regular stroller is too small.”Mark was unable to be taken out into public without being restrained, because he would run away. The severity of his autism prohibited him from being aware of his own safety or surroundings. This prohibited his mother from taking all three of her children on public outings.Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund, I appreciate the help that you gave me. This means so much to me, because it will greatly improve my son’s quality of life. Now he can socialize with his brother and sisters. With this stroller I can take the kids to the museum and zoo. He deserves it and my other two children do too.Thank you with all my heart! Mark’s motherMark suffers from Autism. The fund purchased a special needs stroller for Mark.

AuKeria

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,On behalf of AuKeria and I, I’d like to Thank the Ricky King Foundation for funding the stroller for my little princess. I am truly grateful to Ricky King for purchasing the stroller for her. I truly feel that we have been blessed. AuKeria is a Mother’s First Love, she is my oldest daughter, my special princess, and will forever be mommy’s baby. I always try to ensure that AuKeria has everything that she needs to help improve her quality of life and with your generosity you have helped to make this possible for her. Words alone cannot express the joy I have in my heart knowing that Aukeria is finally going to have the stroller that she has been in desperate need of. AuKeria currently has a wheelchair that she uses for school and transportation but when she falls asleep she is extremely uncomfortable because she is unable to lay back or adjust her position. Before the Ricky King Foundation I did not know how I was going to afford the stroller for her. Your organization has been a blessing to us and we will forever be grateful. Thank you Rick King for blessing my family. Thanks, The proud mommy of AuKeriaAuKeria suffers from Corpus Callosum, Aicardi Syndrome, Spasms and Epilepsy. The fund purchased a special needs stroller for AuKeria.

Kaetlyn

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,I would like to extend my gratitude to you all at The Ricky King Children’s Fund and all of your generous donors! With your assistance Kaetlyn can enjoy family road trips and local trips to and from her therapies safely and comfortably in her new seating system.Before having this new seating system I would need to stop several times on the way to and from her therapies to reposition my 14-year old daughter in her toddler size booster seat which was too small for her and could not secure her safely during transport.Your generosity is greatly appreciated as the cost of therapies and doctor and hospital bills make it difficult to find the funds to support the special needs equipment necessary for the daily living needs of a special needs child.Thanks, Kaetlyn’s MotherKaetlyn suffers from cerebral palsy (spastic quadriplegia).  The Ricky King Children’s Fund purchased Kaetlyn a special needs car seat system so that she could be safely transported.

Ivan

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,Thank you for Ivan’s pushchair! Ivan is my 10-year old son. Even though he was born with special needs; developmental and physical disabilities, he is a very happy child. He likes to sing, play in the water and play with cars and the piano. Most of all he enjoys being with his family here and in Miami. We love him very much and want him to live his life every day in the best possible way. Ivan has a wheelchair he uses for school and the school bus. Many times when we go out to the store Ivan is very uncomfortable because he cannot lay back and sleep or adjust his position. Ivan is very social and enjoys going to the store and other small trips. The wheelchair is very large and heavy and is difficult to take out on trips. I know I can leave him home with my husband, but I want him to go out with us just like my other son. Ivan was using a baby stroller, but he has gotten so tall his head was hitting the canopy and the wheels were bowing out under his weight. We greatly appreciate your help since we do not have the finances to purchase this item ourselves.Thank you, Ivan’s motherIvan suffers from spastic cerebral palsy and ventricular megaly. The Fund purchased Ivan a Special Tomato EIO Push Chair.

Sonny

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,Thank you for purchasing Sonny’s IPad.  The programs Sonny is able to use on the IPad, help him with his speech, and help him with handwriting. He is very visual so when he sees it , he tries really hard to say it.  Sonny gets very excited when he sees the IPad he never wants to stop working on it.  Than you very much for your generosity!Thank you,Sonny’s ParentsSonny suffers from autism with a communication impairment.  The fund purchased an IPad for Sonny.  Sonny’s therapists say the IPad is one of the greatest supports currently available to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Austin

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,Thank you for helping our family! With Austin’s new stroller he will have a better quality of life.  As will I, since there will be less strain on me physically. Again thank you for helping our family!Thank you, Austin’s MotherThe Fund purchased Austin a Convaid Clipper Stroller.  Austin is 12-years old and suffers from autism, convulsions and learning disabilities.

Talia

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,I want to thank you so much for your help! By your kindness and generosity, Talia now has a pair of arch supports that will improve her orthopedic health and day to day quality of life. Your organization has truly been a blessing to our family! God bless you richly, as you have truly made a difference in our lives for the positive!Thank you,RosemaryThe Fund purchased Talia orthopedic arch supports.

Paris

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,Thank you so much for providing us with a generator. The scare of living here in Florida with no electricity is a high concern for my son’s health. He has Cystic Fibrosis and relies on electricity for his treatments. Again thank you for the help.Thanks, MichelleParis suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and asthma. The Fund purchased a generator for Paris, because electricity is vital to getting his treatments which are needed for his survival.

Cristan

Dear Ricky King Children’s Fund,Thank you so much for purchasing a Special Needs Stroller for my three year old son. He is getting very heavy and his wheelchair is too difficult to transport.Thanks again, Cristan’s MomCristan suffers from epilepsy, GI problems and asthma. The Ricky King Children’s Fund purchased him a Convaid Metro Stroller with the necessary accessories to ensure his safety.

William

Diagnosis: Shaken Baby Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Seizure Disorder, Blind Purchased-Specialized Push ChairThank you so much for my wonderful new push chair! I have had the same one since I was a baby, and I really outgrew it. I was very uncomfortable in the old one. This new push chair is so much better and safer for me. God bless you all!Thank you, Grandma, Grandpa and William

Daniela

Diagnosis- Atrophy Muscular Spinal Contribution- Funds for a Used Mini Van with wheel chair liftThank you so much for your donation to help our daughter, Daniela. This will allow us to acquire a used mini van with a ramp so that Daniela will be able to access the community in her motorized chair. We believe this will greatly improve Daniela’s quality of life. The wheel chair provides some very needed functions to help Daniela that would otherwise not be available to her when we are out in the community. Besides providing her some feeling of independence, it will also help her medical condition.Thank you, Daniela’s Family