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Kai's Wheelchair
Fundraiser
Fundraiser
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Dear Friend,
My daughter, Kai Yasmeen Watkins had a very rough start to her life on September 10, 1997.
She was delivered by emergency cesarean section. She was not breathing and the doctor told
us that she may not make it. While the doctors worked to save Kai’s life, my husband and I
prayed with the hospital Chaplin and I felt the warmth of God’s love as He held Kai in His
arms. After thirty minutes and two collapsed lungs a team of doctors and nurses stabilized her
enough to fly her to Charlotte Mecklenburg County Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU). She spent the first 12 days of her life in NICU getting stronger everyday before she
was able to come home.
Kai was diagnosed in December 1999 with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy doesn’t affect many
people, but for those families it does touch, the impact is profound. CP is caused by brain
damage, usually at birth, and affects no two people the same. It’s a permanent condition. It is
not a disease, and it can’t be cured, but with proper therapy it can be managed. With the help
of Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy’s therapist at their Children’s Developmental Daycare in
Charlotte, Kai began to talk at age two and drive her first motorized wheelchair at age three.
Click here to see her resume and to see how she has continued to thrive and excel. We are
asking for your help in purchasing Kai’s new wheelchair that has features not covered by
insurance. 80% of the cost of the basic wheelchair is covered by our insurance policy. But the
wheelchair has a standing feature and elevating leg rests that insurance does not cover because
they do not feel that these functions are medically necessary.
Presently, Kai is confined to her wheelchair 90% of the day, which contributes to hip and knee
flexion contracture of her legs. This system will allow her to extend her hips and knees
frequently throughout her day – reducing the need for Botox injections (which costs
approximately $5500 every three months, because Kai has to be sedated) or the necessity of
tendonotomy surgeries, as well as access her environment more independently during her day.
With the standing function Kai will be able to reach books on high shelves in the library, see
food in the cafeteria to choose her own foods, and high tables in specialized classrooms such as
art and science lab. Kai will experience the community in preparation for being a more
independent adult by accessing high surfaces in the grocery or retail stores in preparation for
shopping for food. She will be tall enough to see obstacles at community sporting events and
speak with tellers at the bank at eye level. The power standing function will improve her access
to recreational activities by enabling her to be able to navigate on fields at parks.
Kai has worked so hard to do things that kids her age can do and with this chair she will
continue to excel as she enters the teenage years. Kai’s dream is to be a doctor one day, and
with your donation for the purchase of this chair, she will be well on her way to achieving that
goal.
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Sincerely,
Tracy Watkins, Mother of Kai and Aiden Watkins, www.kaiskookies.com
My daughter, Kai Yasmeen Watkins had a very rough start to her life on September 10, 1997.
She was delivered by emergency cesarean section. She was not breathing and the doctor told
us that she may not make it. While the doctors worked to save Kai’s life, my husband and I
prayed with the hospital Chaplin and I felt the warmth of God’s love as He held Kai in His
arms. After thirty minutes and two collapsed lungs a team of doctors and nurses stabilized her
enough to fly her to Charlotte Mecklenburg County Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU). She spent the first 12 days of her life in NICU getting stronger everyday before she
was able to come home.
Kai was diagnosed in December 1999 with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy doesn’t affect many
people, but for those families it does touch, the impact is profound. CP is caused by brain
damage, usually at birth, and affects no two people the same. It’s a permanent condition. It is
not a disease, and it can’t be cured, but with proper therapy it can be managed. With the help
of Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy’s therapist at their Children’s Developmental Daycare in
Charlotte, Kai began to talk at age two and drive her first motorized wheelchair at age three.
Click here to see her resume and to see how she has continued to thrive and excel. We are
asking for your help in purchasing Kai’s new wheelchair that has features not covered by
insurance. 80% of the cost of the basic wheelchair is covered by our insurance policy. But the
wheelchair has a standing feature and elevating leg rests that insurance does not cover because
they do not feel that these functions are medically necessary.
Presently, Kai is confined to her wheelchair 90% of the day, which contributes to hip and knee
flexion contracture of her legs. This system will allow her to extend her hips and knees
frequently throughout her day – reducing the need for Botox injections (which costs
approximately $5500 every three months, because Kai has to be sedated) or the necessity of
tendonotomy surgeries, as well as access her environment more independently during her day.
With the standing function Kai will be able to reach books on high shelves in the library, see
food in the cafeteria to choose her own foods, and high tables in specialized classrooms such as
art and science lab. Kai will experience the community in preparation for being a more
independent adult by accessing high surfaces in the grocery or retail stores in preparation for
shopping for food. She will be tall enough to see obstacles at community sporting events and
speak with tellers at the bank at eye level. The power standing function will improve her access
to recreational activities by enabling her to be able to navigate on fields at parks.
Kai has worked so hard to do things that kids her age can do and with this chair she will
continue to excel as she enters the teenage years. Kai’s dream is to be a doctor one day, and
with your donation for the purchase of this chair, she will be well on her way to achieving that
goal.
Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Sincerely,
Tracy Watkins, Mother of Kai and Aiden Watkins, www.kaiskookies.com
Make checks payable to “Kai’s Wheelchair Fund” and mail to Attention: Tracy Watkins at
600 Hartford Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209. Please call Tracy Watkins with any questions at
704-641-3230.
OR
Order one of Kai's favorite cookie packages below and help that way.
600 Hartford Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209. Please call Tracy Watkins with any questions at
704-641-3230.
OR
Order one of Kai's favorite cookie packages below and help that way.
Your donation will help us pay for this wheelchair for Kai. She took delivery of the chair in
time to practice driving before school started this fall.
| | |
| 15 Monogrammed Cookies. These cookies are perfect shower or party favors. $35 includes shrink wrap, shipping and handling. You can order in multiples of 15. |
| 15 Birthday Cake Cookies. These cake cookies are about 3.5" x 3". They are perfect cookie favors for any birthday party. $35 includes shrink wrap, personalization, shipping and handling. You can order in multiples of 15. |
| 15 Car Cookies. These car cookies are perfect cookie favors for any birthday party. $35 includes shrink wrap, shipping and handling. You can order in multiples of 15. |
| 15 Onsie Cookies. These onsie cookies are perfect cookie favors for any baby shower. $35 includes shrink wrap, shipping and handling. You can order in multiples of 15. Specify color in notes. |
| 15 Beach Cookies. These beach cookies are perfect cookie favors for any summer party. $45 includes shrink wrap, shipping and handling. You can order in multiples of 15. Set includes three of the following: beach ball, flip flops, swim suit, swim trunks and sunscreen (no beach bag). |
