Do it for Mikie!

Muscular Dystrophy Do It For Mikey The Bayou La Batre community is coming together to help a wheelchair-bound boy.

by Devon Walsh

Published: Thu, October 29, 2009 - 7:18 am CST Last Updated: Thu, October 29, 2009 - 7:33 am CST

Bayou La Batre, Alabama - The Bayou La Batre community is coming together this weekend, to give an eleven year old boy, named Mikie Johnson, a way to get around better. He has muscular dystrophy and is wheelchair bound. Most of the time, Mikie has to rely on his mom for mobility. She lifts him out of the car, and has to push his wheelchair because the muscles in his arms are too weak. The muscles in his body are slowly breaking down.

Mikie has an electric wheelchair, but he can't use it much. His family has no way to transport the 300 pound machine. It's too heavy to transport without a special van. He only can use it at school because a bus picks him up from home.

The Bayou La Batre community is planning a fundraiser this Saturday to help Mikie's family purchase a van for his electric wheelchair. His grandmother, Mary Johnson, appreciates what the community is doing. "The community always come together when there is a need. It doesn't matter. Anybody that has difficulty, or has a hard time, they come together for."

Mikie's mom, Tracy, is speechless at what friends and family are doing. "I would appreciate any help people have for us... for Mikie."

The "Do it for Mikie" fundraiser is this Saturday, October 31st beginning at noon, at Patricia's River Club at 10892 Dauphin Island Parkway. There will be food, music and raffles.

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southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 12:50 pm

RM, Good recommendations for resources. I worked in the field so long that terms like, “BOUND” and “SUFFERS FROM,” tend to grate my ears.Person first language should be adopted and the only way that is going to happen is for our media to take the plunge and change how they talk about people with different needs.

I think my parents paid over $2K just for the electric wheelchair lift for the back of their car. It works well with their crossover but I see a lot of cars like Marquis use them. Whatever the case, lifting like that is not good for Mom’s back.

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 12:38 pm

I don’t know southfan…....maybe there is this misconception that people with different abilities CAN’T do as much as their typically functioning peers????? Puh-leeze! Don’t get me on THAT soapbox!lol

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 12:33 pm

I think it is wonderful that the community is coming together,BUT, has the family checked into Easter Seals and Childrens Rehab Services through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitative Services? There are programs available to assist with lifts (which can be installed on other vehicles than vans,now), lighter weight chairs,plus other mobility devices-like a finger trigger to drive the chair….Technology is great,and I would highly recommend,that if they are not already connected with some of these services,that they get connected…..

southfan1981 Says:

Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 8:10 am

“Wheelchair-Bound?” Aw, come on.. get with it!

http://media-dis-n-dat.blogspot.com/2008/02/dont-use-term-wheelchair-bound-ever.html