Derrick Grimm

Let’s Watch Derrick GO with your contributions towards a wheelchair accessible vehicle!!!!

On July 7, 2018 Derrick was diagnosed with a rare medical condition called Bethlem Myopathy. Bethlem Myopathy is a type of Congenital Muscular Dystrophy that involves progressive muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and skin abnormalities. This diagnosis came with various emotions, questions and thoughts but after 9 years of unexplained walking difficulties, pain, sleepless nights, and excessive fatigue it was a relief to finally have an answer.

Upon diagnosis, doors quickly opened. Derrick was purely excited about this because he was finally going to get the wheelchair he’d spent years asking for, much needed rest breaks during school, full access to the service elevators where we lived and preferential parking. Life was finally becoming more manageable and enjoyable for Derrick!

As a mother, I enjoyed Derrick’s growing smiles as he was no longer in constant pain and exhaustion. However life for the family as a whole became increasingly challenging in many ways. After 15+ years at my job I had to cut my hours by more than half to accommodate doctors, therapies, at home programs, advocating at school, educational research and trainings, various applications, and moving into a wheelchair accessible home. Surviving on half my income has been a rocky road to say the least.

After a year and a half we have found solid ground with a happy healthy (as can be) boy, his new power chair, and moving into an accessible home. Derrick wants to be a professional gamer when he grows up. He is an avid cat lover who recently adopted an orange tabby named Sunkist, enjoys water sports, and is a star at school in his powerchair. While Derrick was born with muscle weakness, Bethlem has served as a strong foundation to building advocacy skills. His muscles may be weak but his mind, heart, voice and sense of humor are strong and growing stronger every day!

We are currently in much need of a wheelchair accessible vehicle. With my limited income I am using Help Hope Live to access funding for a converted vehicle and other uninsured medical costs associated with this life long disease. A wheelchair accessible vehicle will help Derrick access community activities, school when the bus is not available and various therapy appointments while building confidence and independence. The first activities he will be accessing in the new vehicle are wheelchair sports and his first ever trip to Disneyland!!!

Your donations in honor of Derrick Grimm to Help Hope Live are paid directly to the medical vendors and tax deductible to you. You can be sure donations will be used to only pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!