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Boynton Beach 2-year-old to receive one-of-a-kind wheelchair

South Florida Sun Sentinel - 2/8/2021

Diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy at 6 months old, Boynton Beach 2-year-old Zoe has shown even at her young age she is a fighter.

Despite being unable to sit, stand, walk or talk, Zoe remains an energetic and bright child, continuing her fight against cerebral palsy. The city of Boynton Beach Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center Magic Wheels and Special Deals event will be giving Zoe a one-of-a-kind wheelchair on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Barrier Free Park, 3111 S. Congress Ave., in Boynton Beach.

The fifth annual Magic Wheels and Special Deals event will begin at 10 a.m.

“The event is held at Barrier Free Park to raise awareness to that park and showcase our special needs community,” said Stephanie Soplop said, the city’s recreation and assessment specialist. We’ll have vendors that support inclusion and provide services for individuals with disabilities. So, the name of the event, that’s the part for the special deals and also the magic wheels is the donation of this cool design that’s made for a child who uses a wheelchair or mobility device. It’s a magical moment when everyone gathers around to see what magic wheels the child this year will be getting.

“This year our child is only 2 and a half years old and she has cerebral palsy,” Soplop said. “We choose something based on what the child likes. It’s a secret right now, but we had a special design last year. The child that we had last year liked the [Marvel comics superhero] Black Panther so we had the volunteers work to create this Black Panther-themed throne that he can use for his wheelchair.”

In addition to the unveiling, the event will feature several microenterprise vendors along with the food truck Chilichilibangbang and music from The Royal DJs. The vendors expected to be on-site include Access Perfect Homes, Caps of Love/Chariots of Love, Jupiter Bounce, Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, Love Serving Autism, Natural Dog Treats and Bakery and Sea Turtle Adventures.

The wheelchair for the donation was built and supported by Kings Point Woodshop, Little Wolf Carpentry, Chariots of Love and Home Depot.

Visit boynton-beach.org/magic.

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(c)2021 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

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