About a month ago we went to Hattie’s speech therapy center to try out a new device. It’s called the Explorer Mini, by Permobil. The Explorer Mini works kind of like an automatic wheelchair, but it doesn’t quite have all the complicated pieces. It’s simple, fun, and really just a way for children to be able to move around on their own by using a joystick.

We showed up for our appointment with Hattie’s Therapist, and the Explorer Mini Rep showed us this new cool thing. I sat Hattie down in the chair, and she was immediately intrigued. She put her little hand on the joystick, and starting cruising. She smiled, giggled, and looked around at the room. I cried. It was the first time i had ever seen Hattie move around, on her own.

I looked at the Rep and said we are definitely going to get this. Medicaid covers it, right? “Nope.” Since Hattie had just received her wheelchair, they wouldn’t cover something else like this. Insurance and Medicaid puts this in the “wheelchair” category, even though it is clearly not a wheelchair. I was super bummed…and when she told me the retail price my jaw dropped to the floor. There’s no way that is in our budget right now. Disappointed, we left our appointment.

I went to bed dreaming about Hattie riding around freely in our house. Maybe we’ll do a big fundraiser? A Go Fund Me?

A couple of weeks passed, and life got busy. I started thinking…maybe she doesn’t need it… It would be REALLY amazing…but maybe we don’t need it.

Then I got a call from our medical device rep at NuMotion.

We had recently ordered a bath seat for Hattie, so I was expecting her to ask a question about that. I was driving to Breckenridge with the girls when I answered her call. “Someone anonymously donated the Explorer Mini to Hattie.” I couldn’t. even. speak. “WHAT?” “What do you mean??” “Like someone just bought it for us?!” “YES! Someone will be by to deliver it in a couple of weeks!”.

I bawled my eyes out the entire way to Breckenridge. I just didn’t even have words. How could anyone be so generous? And to anonymously do this! Absolutely amazing.

I just want you to know…whoever you are…that we are so grateful for your generous gift. Not only is it amazing to see my daughter freely move around the house for the first time, it is just amazing knowing that we have such an incredible support system. We LOVE you. We are SO thankful. And God is SO GOOD all. the. time.

Thank you,

The Heasley Family

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