Help Hope Live for Tona Rivera
Hello. I am 44 years old. I was born with Cerebral Palsy, as the umbilical cord was around my neck at the time of my birth. No oxygen was going to my brain. I had to stay at the hospital for two weeks because I had to be on machines. The doctors told my parents I was not going to live, or if I did, I was going to be like a vegetable. They were wrong! Here I am enjoying life! I’m very thankful for being here.I am an artist and paint with my left foot. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Every Ability Plays Project. We purchase special playground equipment for children with special needs, and for their neighborhood parks, homes and schools. Our organization website is everyabilityplaysproject.org if you would like to see what we do.I have started a campaign with Help Hope Live because I am in need of help getting a new accessible van. Because of my family home situation, no bank let us take out a loan to get an accessible van. Any help from donations to assist me in getting an accessible van would be of such great help and so much appreciated! Thank you.You can donate to this campaign by clicking on the Give button. Thank you very much for your support in advance.For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.Thank you for your support!
Updates (2)
November 18, 2024
Hello Everybody, For those of you who don't know me, I am also a dancer. I discovered that I could dance being in a wheelchair. That was in 1999 with Keshet Dance Company. In 2003, I joined the Buen Viaje Dance Company which was another Mix Ability Dance Company that was under the umbrella of Very Special Arts of New Mexico. In 2005, I was very fortunate to travel to Eugene, Oregon so that I could get teacher certified in DanceAbility. I had nobody to co teach DanceAbility with until 2019 when my now dance partner from Albuquerque, Emmaly, found me on the DanceAbility website noticing that I also lived in Albuquerque and I was also teacher certified in DanceAbility. Because of the Pandemic, Emmaly and I got to take the Master Teacher Training Course on Zoom at the end of 2020. With this higher course, Emmaly and I are now able to get people ready to take the teacher certification course in DanceAbility. Since then, Emmaly and I have performed for the New Mexico Disability Pride Day in 2023. This past spring, we co taught the five day teacher training course in DanceAbility at the University of New Mexico. Last night, Emmaly emailed me saying that we might have the opportunity to perform at International Association for Dance Medicine & Science conference in Las Vegas, Nevada next September. This is another part of my work life where I need a new accessible van. I really hope you can please consider donating to my fundraiser for a new van. Thank you very much for your support in advance.
September 24, 2024
Thank you, Everyone, so very much for your support in this campaign. Today, my mom and sister went to see about renting an accessible van for the beginning of November. It is my sister's 40th birthday, and she is a Chicago Bears fan. The Bears are playing in Arizona on her birthday and she wanted to go see them play. Not to leave my mom and me at home by ourselves, my sister and her husband decided to take us along. The rental van costs over $900. Especially when I have to travel around the state for my work, this is why I really need an accessible van of my own. If you have already supported me in this campaign, I really appreciate it so much. I would like to know if you would consider sharing this with everyone you know, and ask them if they could please support this campaign. I am only at 7% of my goal. Thank you very much!
Photo Galleries (1)
Guestbook
October 16, 2024
Toña is awesome and a van would just help her be awesome all around the city and state!
Jami Petner-Arrey
September 2, 2024
You are a very inspriring person. Best of luck on reaching your goals.
carole levitt
August 25, 2024
Love you, Toña! Thanks for all you do to make our community stronger. ❤️
Marla Wood
