Struggling: Harry Reid and his mother Tanya.
ERIN PEARSON
EVERY DAY for the past 13 years the life of Torquay’s Tanya Hansen has revolved around her son.
She watched Harry head off to his first day at school but has never seen him take his first steps or ride a bike.
Harry Reid’s multiple disabilities including cerebral palsy have left his family desperate for financial help.
Tanya said Harry was now too big to lift into the family car.
As his primary carer she desperately needed a van with wheelchair access, she said.
“We can’t lift him in and out of the car anymore, so he’s become socially isolated.
“It’s hard for him to be included in family outings or to his hydrotherapy appointments because getting him to and from the car is so hard.
“We only have a 1980 bomb of a car and desperately need one with a hoist.”
Harry also has a severe developmental delay, microcephaly and visual and hearing problems.
Grandmother Maree Hansen said Harry was “well-known and well-liked” around town.
She hoped old-fashioned community spirit would shine through to help her family.
“Driving is Harry’s favorite thing. He loves going for a drive and listening to Neil Diamond,” Maree said.
“I know it’s a big thing to ask for so much money but we want him to have quality of life.”
I Give A Buck foundation, which helps disadvantaged children with life-altering conditions, is leading the fundraiser.
Chief executive officer Barb Blashki said a new purpose-built van for the family of four would cost around $55,000.
Ms Blashki said both Harry’s parents had health issues and his grandmother was a cancer survivor, making finances “extremely tight”.
“At I Give A Buck we believe that every child has the right to shine and the right to live with dignity and good health and happiness.”
Ms Blashki said donations were being taken at igiveabuck.org.au.
