TEMPE, Ariz. — Members of the Tempe Police Department are using social media and a fundraising website to help a longtime police officer get a special van for his large family of disabled children.Nathan and Lori Ryberg are parents to 13 children, seven of whom are special needs and three of whom use wheelchairs. Nathan Ryberg has been a Tempe police officer for nearly 27 years.Over the years, he’s resisted offers from co-workers to raise money for major expenses, such as a van that can accommodate all members of the family and their various wheelchairs.But Ryberg, 55, says he’s getting to an age where lifting his daughter, who uses a wheelchair, into the family van is getting tougher. Two other sons use wheelchairs but can use their legs with braces. The family also can’t fit into the van they already use, and they have to take two cars when they travel together.Ryberg, a detective in the department’s crime prevention unit, said the family cannot afford a $71,000 van that’s equipped with a wheelchair lift and can fit the whole clan.
His 19-year-old daughter uses a wheelchair and is getting bigger. Ryberg says getting a van with a wheelchair lift is in part so she can have some self-sufficiency.“She’s almost 20 now, and she really would like to get into a vehicle by herself,” Ryberg said.Ryberg says all of the older children and adults in the family participate in Paralympic sports and Special Olympics.“I just think this family is very deserving of this blessing, and it would make their lives so much easier, and that’s what we’re hoping for,” said Lisa Ball, a Tempe police crime prevention officer who works with Ryberg. “He’s a super nice guy. He always helps other people.”But Ryberg plays down his role.“We don’t really think it’s that amazing — we really don’t — because we’ve been plugging away at it for a long time. We have lots of issues but they’re all happy,” Ryberg said.He says he and his wife met in college, where they both studied social work and began working with disabled children.
The couple had six children of their own and adopted seven, all of whom have various disabilities.Ryberg joined the force because social work pay wasn’t cutting it. Lori Ryberg stayed home with the kids and recently became a part-time teacher. The family recently adopted two boys who were born premature and with Down syndrome.From walking four miles every day to being confined to a wheelchair; life changed in a moment for Julieta Zepeda almost four years ago.The Coral Springs resident, who was rushed to the hospital in February 2013 after feeling sharp pain down her arm, has Transverse Myelitis, a rare neuro-immune disorder. Initially paralyzed from neck down, her determination has seen her regain some mobility in her hands. "I try to be strong and think of the positives," Zepeda said. "I can breathe on my own; some people have to use a tube to breathe. I can move my hand; I am in a better position than so many of the others." Jackie Guzman knows she may not be able to see her mother walk again, but she is determined to help her parents get back at least a semblance of the life they were used to.
"I want my mom and dad to once again enjoy some of the things that we take for granted, such as scenic drives, the beach and dinner dates," Guzman said. "My parents have missed out on both of my sons' sports. I want them to enjoy a little bit of life together, outside the house."Guzman said she hopes that the community will support her efforts to raise money to help her parents buy a used wheelchair accessible van. She has signed up with FundLatinos, a crowdfunding site, to make it happen. "She will still be in a wheelchair, but having a wheelchair accessible van will change my mother's life," said Guzman. "She won't be just staring at the four walls every day. I am doing this for my dad as well; he is her 24-hour caretaker."Zepeda spends most of her time at home these days. When she goes out, mostly for visits to the doctor or to church, she has to depend on public paratransit. "Paratransit is not the easiest to use; we have to call them 24 hours in advance," she said. "I miss going out in the spur of the moment.
I love going to the beach, looking at the ocean."Zependa concedes to feeling depressed occasionally. "My husband tries to keep me going. I do have an aide but he is with me most of the time. I know I will be paralyzed for the rest of my life, unless the one up there decides I am going to walk again."Friends and family members have stepped forward to help, said Guzman. "We have received some donations, but there is still ways to go. A used wheelchair accessible van will cost about $40,000. I am not going to give up until we get that van."A container of wheelchairs sponsored by NuView IRA of Orlando, Florida. Glen Mather, President and CEO of NuView IRA, has been a longtime supporter of Wheelchair Foundation. Mr. Mather has gotten his employees and clients involved in the joy of distributing wheelchairs to people in need, both at home and abroad. In prior years NuView has sponsored wheelchairs for the people of Guatemala. This distribution of wheelchairs for disabled and less fortunate of Nicaragua was realized through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Managua-Tiscapa (Club Rotario Managua-Tiscapa).
Thank you to Glen Mather, your staff, and the Rotary Club of Managua-Tiscapa for providing children, teens and adults in many parts of the world with the basic human right of mobility. Charitable Group Del Corazon Donates $21,000 to Rotary’s Wheelchair Fund This article was redistributed from it’s original article written by Jeb Bing of the Pleasanton Weekly and can be found here. Del Corazon, a charitable group that raises money to assist the disabled, has donated $21,000 to the Rotary Club of Pleasanton, an amount that matches the $21,000 the club has already raised to purchase a container of 280 wheelchairs to deliver to Peru this year. Del Corazon was started by Don Routh, Bill Wheeler of Black Tie Transportation and Josh Routh to support efforts that focus on helping those with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2016 alone, Del Corazon coordinated six wheelchair deliveries to Central and South America, contributing $94,500 to the effort.
The group also conducts the “From the Heart” schools program, which educates students and teachers about the challenges of the disabled through presentations, curriculum, a Wheelchair Week and fundraisers. Since 2009, 57 schools in Pleasanton and the San Ramon Valley, along with schools in Hayward, Concord and Oakland have participated. To date, the program has raised $253,000 to purchase wheelchairs, and a number of students and teachers have traveled toCentral and South America to deliver them. Wheeler, David Behring of the Wheelchair Foundation, Rotary District Governor Jeff Orth and school superintendent Rick Rubio joined in presenting the$21,000 check to the Rotary Club at its meeting Oct. 20. This article was originally written by Conric PR and can be found here. Rotary District 6960 District Governor Cyndi Doragh is pleased to announce that the district has donated more than $140,000 to the Wheelchair Foundation in the past year. This level of funding will provide mobility to approximately 1,400 people in need through the foundation, which aims to provide a free wheelchair to every child, teen and adult worldwide who needs one but cannot afford one.