Community holds event for local teen with cerebral palsy

By: LORELL FLEMING - Staff Writer | Saturday, June 9, 2007 11:38 PM PDT ∞

RAINBOW ----- A local teacher is going beyond the call of duty, and even a bit beyond her comfort zone, to help one of her disabled students.

Adapted Physical Education Specialist Sally Baker-Opp has started a fundraising effort with the goal of $6,000 to buy a special tandem bike for Andy Wells, who uses a wheelchair because of his cerebral palsy.

"I'm not much of a salesperson," Baker-Opp said. "But I believe this is something that can make a long-term difference in the quality of Andy's life. The bike would help keep his cardiovascular system in shape. It helps him work on his posture. It's something he can do with a family member or a friend.

"Plus, Andy is a good kid with a great attitude on life. He's dealing with cerebral palsy. His father died a few years ago. And Andy has managed to maintain a good outlook on life," said Baker-Opp, who has been Andy's physical education specialist for the last six years at Vallecitos Elementary School.

So far, Baker-Opp has raised $650 by selling plants donated by Rainbow-area nurseries, she said.

Others in this small, rural community have joined in the fundraising effort, including Maureen Small and Jonnie Fox Flanagan.

Small got $1,500 in donations from area residents in October 2006, according to Baker-Opp.

"We want to help a neighbor and resident get something that would be useful, therapeutic, recreational, and something he can enjoy. I hope the community will rally around this effort," Fox Flanagan said.

To raise money, a luau-themed barbecue called "Wheels for Andy," is planned for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 29. Attendees can buy a Polynesian-style plate dinner that includes a dessert and a nonalcoholic beverage. Prices of the meal had not been finalized as of Friday, but coordinators are estimating that the price of the dinner, dessert and beverage combo will be $4 to $6 for children ages 10 and under, and $8 to $10 for ages 11 and older.

"There'll be music. We'll tell everyone to bring their blankets, chairs and frisbee, things like that," Fox Flanagan said.

Cerebral palsy makes it difficult for Andy to speak clearly. But the 15-year-old flashes a big smile when the purchase of the special tandem bike is mentioned.

"I want to ride with Mom," Andy said.

The Wells Family has insurance for Andy, but equipment that is not a medical necessity is not covered, according to Andy's mother, Sandy Wells.

"It really touches your heart when the community steps in to help your child," she said. "How can you ever adequately thank people who are doing this for your child?"

Andy's condition is a result of his being deprived of oxygen temporarily during birth when his mother's uterus ruptured, Wells said.

Cerebral palsy affects all of Andy's limbs and his gross motor skills, such as his body movements. The palsy also affects his fine motor skills, such as speech.

He's unable to pick up anything with his hands or fingers. Either someone feeds Andy or a feeding device is used. To type on a computer, Andy uses a pointing stick attached to a baseball hat, his mother said.

"I'm not sure he would ever be able to drive. I don't know if there's a driving modification for him since all of his limbs are affected by the cerebral palsy," Wells said. "This bike can give him mobility and help him become more independent. And being a tandem, he can enjoy a bike ride with family or a friend, like other people do.

"Andy's social and emotional development is on track," Wells said. "In many ways, he is your typical teenager, and he has a big heart."

One of his big activities includes acting as an unofficial ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy, a nonprofit organization. The mission of United Cerebral Palsy is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network, according to the organization's Web site. By spending time with some of the people who actively raise funds for the organization, Andy raises awareness about the condition, Wells said.

For more information on how to donate money, or services toward the July fundraising event, contact Fox Flanagan at (619) 977-9181 or by e-mail at jonniefox@gmail.com.

Contact staff writer Lorell Fleming at (760) 731-5798 or lfleming@nctimes.com.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.