TIFT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — A family in Tift County is raising money for a wheelchair-accessible van to transport 7-year-old Hadleigh Foe, who has cerebral palsy.

Hadleigh is in second grade. She said she enjoys playing with her toys.

Her parents, Derrick and Cori Foe, say doctors diagnosed Hadleigh with cerebral palsy when she was about nine months old.

“We found out about, I would say, I think she was nine months old, that she had cerebral palsy,” Cori Foe said. “She was really kind of stiff and rigid, but her feet kind of flopped everywhere.”

What is Cerebral palsy?

According to Cleveland Clinic, “Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurologic conditions that happens when your brain doesn’t develop as expected or gets injured before, during or soon after birth. CP affects movement, posture and coordination. It may cause permanent disabilities. While the brain injury doesn’t worsen over time, symptoms and physical challenges may change as your child grows. CP affects about 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States. There’s no cure for CP. But treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving daily life, comfort and independence. Your care team will work with you to create a plan that fits your needs. ”

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8717-cerebral-palsy

Therapy and daily mobility

Cori Foe said Hadleigh started speech therapy and physical therapy after her diagnosis. Hadleigh now receives speech therapy and physical therapy through her school. She also uses a gait trainer to move around, including during physical education class.

Cori Foe said the family currently drives a Toyota Highlander. She said she has to lift Hadleigh out of her wheelchair, place her into a car seat and turn the car seat around for each trip, including to and from school. She said the wheelchair also has to be placed in the trunk because there is no other space for it.

Cori Foe said Hadleigh is set to receive a new wheelchair that will be heavier than her current one, and that each future wheelchair will weigh more as she grows.

“If we had a way to just roll her up, she could get to school better,” Jeannie Foe said.

Family’s goal for the van

Hadleigh’s grandmother, Jeannie Foe, said picking Hadleigh up and moving her between the wheelchair and the car has become harder as Hadleigh gets older and bigger.

“I am super proud of Hadley,” Jeannie Foe said. “She’s very outgoing. She loves her friends, her family and she loves outdoors.”

Jeannie Foe said a wheelchair-accessible van would allow the family to wheel Hadleigh into the vehicle instead of lifting her.

Faith and church involvement

Jeannie Foe said Hadleigh attends church, Sunday school and children’s ministry, and was dedicated to the Lord at 3 months old. She said Hadleigh has her own Bible and will decide when she is ready to be baptized.

Jeannie Foe said one of Hadleigh’s favorite songs is “Goodness of God.” “I love Jesus,” Hadleigh said.

Hadleigh said she wants the van to be blue.

Help the family reach their goal by donating to their GoFundMe.

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