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 (3)
January 16, 2025
Hello Everybody!!! Today I got twelve Botox shots in my legs which helps me not to be so tight. We decided to go on zTrip so that my sister and I wouldn't have to stay at the clinic for an hour and half waiting for Sun Van. Today's zTrip ride cost $110 for round trip. BUT, that is not the main reason I am posting this update on my campaign fundraiser tonight. The main reason why I am posting on here is because after I got twelve Botox shots, my doctor asked me if I would be interested in going to two conferences this year. One of them is in June in Phoenix, Arizona about pain for people with disabilities. I said yes to that one for sure. The other one is in New Orleans in September. Of course, I told her about the conference in Las Vegas (https://web.cvent.com/event/23c258ef-1f6e-4831-bc6b-e14f3c79c71a/summary). The conference in New Orleans is going to be on women's health and Cerebral Palsy. I suffer a lot from my women's health issues. When my sister and I got home from the clinic, we told our mom about these conferences. Our mom gave me all of her support like she always has. She even said if the conferences in September are a week apart, we could drive from New Orleans to Las Vegas. More than ever, I really need a new accessible van. Your support would be appreciated so very much. Thank you very much!
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.
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
