Howard's Helpers - Disabled Newark Child Needs Van - Can You Help?

Marc and Vivian Median are living for their 4-year-old daughter, Dierdre.

Deirdre was born with spinal muscular atrophy – Type 1, which is the most severe. Her muscles are decayed and just breathing has become a problem. Her condition is terminal.

Spinal muscular atrophy is supposed to be fatal before a child is two but Deirdre has already long exceeded those odds and her parents are trying to make the best life possible for her.

According to her parents, that is why they left everything behind in Puerto Rico in 2008 and flew to Newark. They moved just blocks from the University of Medicine and Dentistry where Dierdre can get the expert care she needs to stay alive.

However, in Newark they have no family and no friends. Sadly, Dierdre’s needs and the economy mean they also don’t have jobs.

Until this summer, the only time Dierdre left her apartment was to go to doctors or the hospital. Then the Rivera’s got a 2000 Dodge Caravan which was specially rigged so they could transport their daughter.

Usually the trips were between the apartment and hospital which was Dierdre’s entire life.

But thanks to the van, they finally were able to show their daughter a little of the world.

A trip to the museum doesn’t sound like much, but for Dierdre it was a chance to experience something besides her illness.

Then came September 11th. On that date that is etched in all our minds, someone stole the Rivera’s van.

That’s right, someone stole an 11-year-old van used for a handicapped girl with a fatal condition. Now Dierdre is stuck in the house.

We’d like to help her get out again and we need you to help.

We’re looking for anyone who can provide a van, a wheelchair ramp and a wheelchair rack as well as someone to do the installation.

If you can help, email me at HOWARDSHELPERS@PIX11.com

Let’s hear from you. Only you can help me help Dierdre.