Thanks to a Maui teenager, 10-year-old Joseph Faaleaoga soon will be able to get around on his own again. Maui teenager gives
Oahu boy his wheelchairBy Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.comA thief walked off with his motorized wheelchair a week ago while he was attending class at Kalihi-kai Elementary School. Since then, Faaleaoga, who has muscular dystrophy, has had to make do with a non-motorized loaner, which means he needs somebody to push him everywhere he goes.
But now 17-year-old Ramoda Anand of Maui has donated the motorized wheelchair he's outgrown to the Oahu boy.
Anand's parents called Shriners Hospital for Children on Friday, after hearing about the theft, and sent the chair to Oahu the following day, said hospital spokesman Duke Gonzales.
"My son is so excited about being able to help this boy. He was just happy to help out," said his father, Dr. Kabba Anand. He said Hawaiian Airlines arranged to transport the wheelchair to Oahu for free.
"It's a good temporary replacement," Gonzales said.
Ramoda Anand, a student at King Kekaulike High School who has cerebral palsy, already has a new wheelchair, Gonzales said.
Hospital officials plan to deliver the chair to Faaleaoga later this week after inspecting it and making adjustments to meet his size.
The theft has brought a tremendous outpouring of support and hospital officials hope to raise enough money to buy a new chair for Faaleaoga, Gonzales said.
The stolen chair cost $5,200 and Faaleaoga had it for less than a year.
Star-Bulletin reporter Rosemarie Bernardo
contributed to this report.