The family of eight-year-old Leighton from Alcona in Innisfil, Ontario, is amazed by the outpouring of support from the online community to help pay for her robotic walker.

Leighton is an incredible eight-year-old with the brightest smile and a spirit that shines through every challenge she has been facing. She was born with an extremely rare genetic condition involving chromosome 19, which has left her unable to walk.

Last year, Leighton took her first steps using a robotic walker that her mother won for a year through a Trexo Robotics contest. When the loan ended, her family was faced with the difficult task of raising about $50,000 to buy the device. A foundation connected to Trexo offered $10,000 in financial support to help buy the device, but additional funds were needed to complete the purchase.

To help gather funds, Leighton’s aunt, Jacquie Fawm, launched a GoFundMe campaign, and the family was overwhelmed by the community’s generosity and support. In under two weeks, the support from the community helped surpass the target of $35,000 to help the family of five children meet the expenses.

Leighton’s father, who was not fully comfortable asking for support in raising funds, is incredibly grateful to friends, relatives, and strangers who have donated to help give their daughter the opportunity to keep walking and enjoy greater independence. The funds raised will go directly toward purchasing Leighton’s Trexo device and helping make the home more accessible, which will include the addition of a ramp so Leighton can safely get in and out of the house.

Source: Rick Vanderlinde, Barrie Today