Unstoppable Amber – finding freedom on three wheels

Amber, aged 16, is non-verbal, and has Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. She is wheelchair-bound, needing assistance with most daily tasks. That makes it sound like she leads a confined and enclosed life, but like so many of Variety’s kids, Amber overcomes her adversity through her unstoppable spirit. She is a bright and bubbly young lady who is very social and enjoys any new challenge that comes her way.

Amber has learned to communicate through eye gaze technology – specialised cameras that track her eye movements and translate them into actions on a computer screen. It is amazing how technology has enabled her to enjoy a newfound sense of freedom.

To help Amber take the next steps on her journey, Variety QLD recently granted her a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle worth $8,215. These tricycles provide a fun and motivating method for disabled kids to improve leg strength, balance, fitness, and endurance. They are specifically designed for kids who cannot walk independently or who must spend long hours in a wheelchair.

Amber’s family recently sent us photos of her in action, and as you can see, she has already greatly benefitted from the tricycle. It has given her the chance to get outside, exercise, socialise with her peers, and enjoy some independence.

This is the incredibly powerful way Variety supports kids thanks to our combined fundraising efforts. Simple grants for practical items that change kid’s lives for the better.

Way to go, Amber!