‘I’m still in shock’

Bay Bulls boy to get specialized wheelchair of his own thanks to generous donations

It started as a short Facebook post from a woman asking for advice on the best hiking trails for her family to try in the area.

In just two weeks, it snowballed into a huge community outpouring of generosity that has one little boy’s family over the moon with excitement and the opportunity for them to give back to others.

“I never imagined … it would lead to this,” Adina Stamp said Friday. “I’m speechless.”

Stamp had been looking to conquer several trails with her five-year-old sons, Lyndon and Zander Andersen. She had a short-term loan of a Hippocampe, a specialized wheelchair for outdoor activities, from the Janeway children’s hospital, which allowed Lyndon, who has moderate cerebral palsy, to go along.

For the first time, he was able to get over rougher terrain to areas he’s never seen before, with Stamp revelling in her boys’ smiles.

“It’s a whole new world,” she told The Telegram, in a story published in the April 29 edition.

The smiles got even bigger days later when her sister, Vickii Stamp, set up a Gofund-me page to raise the $8,000-$9,000 needed to buy Lyndon a Hippocampe of his own and the additional equipment required. Any additional money raised would be donated to buy a second Hippocampe for other families to use, as there’s a long waiting list for loaners.

The response was immediate.

Donations poured in, and in just a few days, the total surpassed the $12,000 mark, bringing the family to tears.

If they weren’t emotional enough, this past week, Vickii Stamp received a call from the marketing manager at Dan Matthews Volkswagen in St. John’s, informing her that the company would cover the cost of the Hippocampe for Lyndon, including arm rests, parking break, hand and foot safety nets, extending head rest, extending back, front and back skis, a weather suit and a transport bag.

“She was so excited, she screamed over the phone,” Adina Stamp said.

“When she called me, I was filled with emotion and gratitude.

“I’m still in shock that this is happening. It’s been a whirlwind of a week. I’ve been crying every day, it’s been so amazing.”

The money raised through the Gofundme page will go to purchasing two Hippocampe wheelchairs, one for the Janeway and the other for Easter Seals NL.

When contacted by The Telegram, Dan Matthews, general manager of Volkswagen-audi St. John’s, said when he read about Lyndon, he immediately wanted to help.

“I went to our marketing manager and said, ‘I want to buy him one of those wheelchairs,’” said Matthews, adding that he, his wife and their one-year-old son love the outdoors.

“To think this poor boy couldn’t enjoy the outdoors (on hikes) with his family was heartbreaking,” Matthews said.

“We’re a family business, and people have supported us tremendously … so it’s only fair that trickle down.

“It comes full circle.” The Hippocampe was ordered through Rehab Rentals and will take six weeks to arrive from France, but for Stamp and her family, it will be worth the wait.

“Our family is beyond grateful to Dan Matthews and to the people of (the province) who opened their hearts and gave so generously to our fundraiser,” said Stamp, adding that friends and her sons’ kindergarten class have undertaken fundraising draws for their Hippocampe fund.

“We will forever be so thankful. It’s nice to know there are good people out there still.”