Leyden student grateful for community support

Miguel Galvan needed a new wheelchair, one that is specially equipped to meet his needs and includes a sit to stand feature.

The special features added about $21,000 to the wheelchair's MSRP list price of more than $63,000. The added cost wasn't covered by Medicaid; therefore Galvan needed financial support to purchase the wheelchair.

The Division of Specialized Care for Children committed to contributing $7,000 toward the wheelchair purchase, but that left Galvan's family with the task of raising $14,000. To that end, District 212's special education department, and the Leyden community at large, joined forces to help the Northlake resident and his family.

In March, Unity in Community founder Tom Brimie presented the teen with a check for $10,000 to help cover the purchase of the specially fitted chair. The nonprofit foundation "fronted" the money -- giving it to Galvan to hasten the wheelchair purchase. Over time, donations made to the foundation in Galvan's name will repay the $10,000.

District 212 staff, and members of the Leyden community, also donated money towards the wheelchair purchase. Wheelchair supplier Numotion discounted the chair by $2,000. And on May 6, Galvan got his new wheelchair. With the discount and donations applied, the final wheelchair cost was $45, 938.11.

Galvan, 19, is a special needs student in District 212's Transition Program, a course that serves students 18 to 22 years of age and focuses on life skills, self-advocacy and vocational training. Born with an intellectual disability and orthopedic impairment, the teen faces challenges on a daily basis. But according to his Leyden case worker Giuseppina Shields, Galvan remains kind, positive and an inspiration to all.

She adds that the wheelchair "impacts his daily living experiences and activities by allowing him to reach items in the house that he would not be able to attain without assistance. It also helps his blood circulate more often and at his will."

Numotion spokesperson Camelia Galvez noted that after two years of working on Galvan's case, it was "a pleasure to see how happy and excited Miguel is with his wheelchair. It is the reason we (employees) love our job."

To make a donation to Unity in Community in Galvan's name, please visit www.theunityincommunity.org. Click on the yellow "donate" button located directly above his picture.