I wish to have a power wheelchair
Austyn
17
nervous system disorder
Austyn's Wish Brings Him Freedom and Confidence
There have been many global studies that have focused on the impact of a child being held by their mother. It turns out that we’re biologically built to the calming effect of a mother’s embrace.
That embrace lets us know that everything is going to be alright. This holds true for 17-year-old Austyn Martin who received his wish to have a power wheelchair, thanks to supporters like you. When we recently sat down with Austyn to discuss his wish and the inspiration behind it, he began by telling us a story about how his mother has been one of the driving forces behind his strength and perseverance in his life-long fight with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy).
“When I was just 18 months old, I was diagnosed with SMA” Austyn said. “Through everything, my mom has been there for me, to pick me up - figuratively and literally. I’ve been through numerous surgeries, the first of which was when I was 10 years old, multiple treatment plans, and recently went through a clinical trial called SPINRAZA that my mom persuaded me to participate in. At first, I didn’t want to do it, but as with most things, she was right. It has helped me tremendously and I have been able to regain some strength in my upper body and some in my legs. I used to get tired just holding a pencil, but now, I can open my own soda cans.”
When Austyn was growing up and attending school, he was having trouble dealing with the limitations that his diagnosis inflicted on his life. While his friends were able to run, jump and play ball, Austyn was forced to be an observer.
“It was tough seeing them have fun while I was just sitting there,” Austyn said. “It would drag me down and I’d get tired of not being able to do stuff that I wanted to. Whenever I got in that mindset, my mom would come in and she would bend down to give me a hug and tell me that she loved me just the way that I was and that I was going to be fine and that she was always going to be there for me.”
Austyn went on to share that when he was younger and it rained, his mother would take him and his brother outside to dance. “My mom would pick me up and carry me outside with my brother so that we could dance in the rain together. If it snowed, she would go outside and fill up a pail of snow for me so that I could play in the snow inside. Those little things made a big difference in my life and helped me become who I am today.”
Austyn with his brother
Austyn’s love of family was evident when it came time for him to choose his one-true wish. “My brother was the one who introduced the idea of a power wheelchair for my wish. He told me that these power wheelchairs have the capabilities to make life easier and can help me regain some of the freedom that my diagnosis has taken away. I decided on a Quantum Edge 3 Stretto power wheelchair that has the ability to raise up to eye level. With this feature I can finally be at eye level with those around me.” Austyn continued by saying that his entire life people have been looking down upon him and it makes him feel inferior and different. “When I’m at work it bugs me when people have to look down upon me instead of me being on their same level and looking at them. This makes people look at me and treat me differently than what I would like.”
During the initial wheelchair consultation discussion earlier this year, Austyn told Make-A-Wish partners, Quantum Rehab that he loved fast cars and the car brand Aston Martin in particular. “I asked if there was a way for me to get an Aston Martin bumper sticker for the back of the power wheelchair,” Austyn stated.
Quantum Rehab contacted the Aston Martin headquarters directly to see if they wanted to help make Austyn’s wish even more magical. Aston Martin stepped up and offered to host Austyn’s wish reveal at their local dealership and offered to provide a pair of the iconic Aston Martin wings for Austyn’s new ride.
On wish day, Austyn was surprised with a limousine that ushered him to the Aston Martin dealership. Austyn was under the impression that Make-A-Wish had secured a private tour of the dealership and the ability to see the fast cars that he loved so much up close and personal, as a wish enhancement while he waited for his wish to be granted.
Austyn hugging his mother for the first time
“When I arrived, I didn’t know exactly what was happening, but I knew something was up,” Austyn shared. “It was great to see the sports cars up close and personal and learn more about them.” As he moved through the showroom it became evident why he was actually at the dealership.
As he turned the corner past one of the showroom cars, he saw it - his very own Quantum Edge 3 Stretto power wheelchair. Austyn smiled and said, “Hey, what can you tell me about this one? Can I drive this home tonight?”
As soon as the Quantum Rehab technicians fitted Austyn in his new set of wheels, he took the opportunity to take it for a test drive around the showroom floor. After getting a feel for the handling and functions he was able to do something that he had been longing for his entire life – raise himself up to eye level and give his loving mother a proper hug. “That was something that I have always wanted to do. To give my mother a hug without her having to bend down to come to me.” Austyn said.
Austyn said that the thing he is looking forward to most about his new wheelchair is the confidence and pride that come with it. “With my new chair, I can proudly be at eye level with my customers at work. I can talk to them on their level instead of them looking down upon me. This will be amazing, and I absolutely love the fact that I can now form connections with those I come in contact with. There is something about being on the same level as someone and looking them straight across, instead of me looking up at everyone all the time. This has been a dream come true for me. To everyone who made my wish come true, thank you for making my life so much easier. You made it possible for me to have a better place in the world.”
