The support from the Pembina Valley community has helped bring transportation freedom back to the Suderman family, which has been having a tough time due to their daughter’s mobility issues.
Ryan and Steph Suderman’s 10-year-old daughter, Hayden, has struggled with a genetic condition that has impacted her mobility since she was 6. As she recently outgrew her old car seat, the family has been navigating a difficult situation, and the lack of funds made them turn to their community for help.
The family needed an accessible van to be able to manage their trips to the doctor, school, and family outings. When the community learned about Hayden’s condition and how a new van could help, people pitched in and raised over $34,000 of the $40,000 fundraising goal.
With the financial donations coming from across Pembina Valley and beyond, the Suderman family managed to purchase an accessible van, significantly improving their daily lives. The new van has no bucket seat, and the sliding door at the side of the van allows Hayden’s wheelchair to be pulled up a ramp. This way, Hayden’s wheelchair fits right inside and can be buckled and anchored to the floor. The new van has made travelling a bit easier for Hayden, who regularly needs to travel to Winnipeg for medical appointments.
The Sudermans are immensely thankful to their community for its support. While the van has helped take care of the mobility issues for the family, the Sudermans still need help to take care of their daughter’s ongoing needs. The family plans to continue creating initiatives to support her medical requirements and other needs that are not covered.
