Hopkins Student with Huntington’s Disease Surprised with Free Wheelchair
The nonprofit Champions for HD surprised Hopkins High School student Ashley Beard with a free wheelchair on Monday. This, after insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of a new one. Beard is 17 and has juvenile Huntington’s disease, which causes parts of the brain to stop working. It impacts movement and thinking ability.
Her old wheelchair lacked proper restraints and supports. One school staff member said the wheelchair was in “horrific shape” and said “neither her school chair nor her home chair meet her ever-increasing needs.”
Champions for HD is raising more than $8,000 for the new wheelchair, and are asking for additional donations. Learn more about Champions for HD here.
“I can tell this chair is perfect for her because she can fit right into it and then lean backwards,” said Emily Beard, Ashley’s sister. “She has the support on top and legs on the bottom so I think it will support her in all the ways she needs it to.”
Ashley Beard, a student at Hopkins High School
Hopkins High School
