The Gift of Mobility and Play to 8-Year-Old with Spina Bifida

Post and photos courtesy of the We Promise Foundation.

Chesapeake, VA (July 9, 2012) – When 8-year-old, wheelchair bound Nadia Zaichenko first dreamed of having her very own handicap accessible play set, little did she know that her one small wish could touch such a large community.

Born with Spina Bifida, Nadia has been unable to play on most playgrounds – until now.

Thanks to the We Promise Foundation, a local Boy Scout troop, the Great Bridge United Methodist Church and numerous other donors who were inspired by Nadia’s strength and determination, the family was not only able to raise the funds needed to build a backyard play set for Nadia, but they were also able to install wheelchair paths to give Nadia the freedom to play and explore unassisted.

To celebrate the completion of the fundraising effort, the We Promise Foundation and several other donors joined the Zaichenko family to officially cut the ribbon on the community effort.

“It brings us great joy to know that because of the incredible generosity of this community, Nadia will be able to enjoy the simple childhood moments that she has dreamed of,” said John Blum, Chairman of the We Promise Foundation. “We are honored to be able to give her the gift of play and mobility that every child deserves.”

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Nadia and her family took the time to read a special note of appreciation to her donors. In thanking Chartway’s charitable arm who stepped in to fund the final $1,500 in funds needed, Nadia’s mom could scarcely contain her excitement. “I had to pick my jaw up off the ground when I learned of We Promise’s donation,” said Shannon Zaichenko, Nadia’s mother. “I am so grateful – so thankful for their donation to Nadia’s backyard project.”

Nadia’s play set is just one of many backyard builds that the We Promise Foundation has supported to provide healing and hope to children battling life-threatening illnesses or severe hardship.

Altogether, Chartway’s foundation has provided the funds to make dreams come true for more than 750 children facing debilitating illnesses.

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