Ruan’s Appeal

Ruan’s Appeal

Dear Bikers

I went with my Daddy to the Toy Run last year, as I do every year and that inspired me to write to you. I saw that ya’all have big hearts to help kids like me, who need things that our folks can’t afford. Together, we all made many other kids hearts happy with the gifts we all donated.

My request is if you could please help me to buy a communication device, which is terribly expensive. See, I am unable to speak, although I would know what to say if I could. I would like to tell my Mommy how much I love her – I do show her with hugs and kisses, but its just not the same. I would love to say when my nose itches, or I’m hungry or thirsty, etc. Or when I’m feeling ill or have a headache (or when I need to be with young guys my own age, not to mention girls!)

When I had my near-drowning accident 10 years ago at age 4½, I lost the ability to speak, walk, use my hands properly, etc. I have lost out on being educated since people think I can’t be educated because I can’t tell them what is going on in my head!

I am 14 now and almost past the “learning age”, so its important that I get “talking” as soon as possible.

Recently we discovered a jewel in the person of Sonja Higham, who is my new AAC (Augementative Alternative Communication) therapist. Sonja, because she’s so clever and works so well for me, has identified that the only system that is going to work for me is an eye control system. (see Sonja’s letter which better explains everything).

We kindly ask that each of your members help us with R100.00 – if just 1600 bikers each donate R100.00, I’ll have enough to buy my “voice”. (This is just a calculation, of course I would be grateful for any amount donated – one cannot put a value on heart-stuff!) I truly hope that you can find it in your hearts to help me. If just one payment can be made into the account per club, we would be most grateful, since we don’t want all the funds to be swallowed up by banking charges.

Sonja will put onto her website each donation made by the various clubs. C’mon bikers, we know how you love to dice! Please could you “dice” with your hearts this time and leave the engines to rest a bit!

Thank you for your kind consideration (and don’t forget to look at the website to see who exactly I am and why I need this equipment, where your money must go, etc.).

Thankful greetings

PS: Should we reach more than the amount needed for my equipment, we have already identified two other guys like me who need the exact same thing, so any excess funds will be going to them! You can follow it all on the website. www.speak2me.co.za

Go back to the Fundraising Appeal