Thorold single mother of 5 struggles as quadriplegic daughter outgrows car

A single mother of five from Thorold is hoping for a miracle as her almost worn-out car can't accommodate her special needs daughter much longer.

Ashley Di Marco says her daughter Avaia's wheelchair is heavy to lift and hard to get into the back of her van as the rest of her kids take their seats when she takes them to school, or out to errands when she can't find a babysitter.

Due to her growth, and several hip- and leg issues, riding in a regular car seat makes for a painful and unsafe ride for the 11-year old, who has regular medical appointments to manage her spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, caused by lack of oxygen at birth.

Avaia is tube-fed, has severely restricted movement and depends on 24-hours assistance.

A highly demanding situation for Ashley, who at the same time has to look after the lives of her other 5, 7, 10 and 14-year old kids.

"Things are tight right now," Ashley tells ThoroldNews.

She is getting by on a part-time salary from a retail job while desperately looking for financing options to be able to afford a car.

While trying to pick up hours wherever possible and looking for more work, she might not be able to work more due to Avaia's condition.

It is not without hesitation that she started accepting donations via an online fundraiser, set up by her cousin.

"The last thing I want to do is ask strangers for help, but I have run out of options, now. I don't know what I will do if my car falls apart, and it is about to do just that", she says.

At the time of writing, $235 had been gathered, mostly from family and friends, who offer what support they can, when they can.

"But they also have kids and have to work. They would help more if they could."

The goal is to raise enough money to be able to make a down payment for a car that could be modified to bring her daughter on board in her wheelchair via a ramp, and enough space to strap it in.

The modifications can't be made to her current car due to age, and other welfare- or subsidized solutions for vehicle support do not offer vehicles of the size or make that would be a fit for the wheelchair.

"Even if I could just make the monthly payments a bit lower, it would help. I don't expect anything to be handed to me. I am just trying to get my daughter to her appointments," she said.

Link to the fundraiser is found here.