A fundraising page has been set up for Dana Leona, 24, who finds it hard to move or speak but wants to explore the world, meet more people and learn as much as she can.
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Dana is an intelligent young woman who wants to enjoy what most of us take for granted.
What Dana loves most is having the opportunity to learn and be treated as an adult.
She has a rare condition known as Rett Syndrome but has determination, drive and a positive attitude towards life.
Dana’s mother Delene Kay is her full-time carer and does not work.
While born in Wollongong Dana and her mum have lived in the United States for seven years and have recently returned home.
But they don’t have a car and walk everywhere.
The buggy Dana has moved around in since seven cannot fold up or fit in a taxi or normal sized car.
It is also very difficult to manoeuvre on a bus or any public transport.
Recently she almost got caught between the doors of a train when the guards did not see it was a struggle for the man helping her to get her buggy out in out time.
This week one of the tyre’s on the three wheel buggy exploded but was quickly repaired by Domingos (Ross) Teixeira, of East Coast E-Bikes.
Mr Teixeira spoke of other buggy options available in Australia.
He said there were different kinds that could fold up and make life easier for both Dana and her mum.
Aware of the difficulty Dana has getting around and the two hour walk involved getting to and from the closest supermarket to do the groceries each week friend Brooke Redman set up a GoFundMe fundraising page.
Mrs Redman wanted to help make life “a little more comfortable” for Dana and her mum.
Dana Leona is a young woman who finds it hard to move or speak. But she is an intelligent person who wants to enjoy what many of us take for granted.
- Friend Brooke Redman on Dana's journey GoFundMe page
Ideally a car and a fold-up buggy would really help Dana be more mobile.
But that is not possible in their present circumstances with her mother being her full-time carer and unable to work.
Dana recently loved a day out made possible thanks to the generosity of Symbio Wildlife Park, Just Cruisin’ Harley Tours and Darkes Forest Riding Ranch.
When asked if she was interested in riding Big Foot at Coolangatta Estate and going on a Dolphin Watch cruise at Jervis Bay some time her eyes really lit up.
Fundraising page link
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
