Kool Stride Running Stroller

On behalf of Make-A-Wish® New Zealand please accept our sincere thanks for your assistance in Kassidy’s one true wish for a buggy!

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children (3-17 years) with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We could not make the wishes of seriously ill Kiwi kids as special and memorable as they are without the generosity and kindness of people like you.

Kassidy is 5 years old with Cerebral Palsy and absolutely loves being outdoors. She loves to go camping and going to the beach to swim but as she grows older and bigger, it is getting difficult for her parents to carry her to do the things she loves. Kassidy’s one true wish is for a buggy so she can still take part in the things she loves doing.

On Monday, with buggy, balloons and ice cream cake in hand, our Make-A-Wish volunteers surprised Kassidy with her wish and she couldn’t be happier! The minute she sat in her buggy, her smile never faded. Mum said it is going to be hard to get her out of it!

On behalf of Make-A-Wish, we would like to say a big thank you for your support and assistance on Kassidy’s one true wish. Kassidy is thrilled with her new buggy and it is the perfect time as the family is going away camping for Christmas. Mum had said it is the perfect Christmas gift the family can ask for as it means Kassidy can still join in on family activities and be a part of the action.

Granting a wish creates a piece of pure magic which can provide an escape for children and their families facing the most challenging times. It is comforting to know we have friends like you in the community, willing to support Make-A-Wish and our many wish families. Your generosity, contribution and support are invaluable.

Thank you for sharing in the power of a wish!

Best wishes,

Linda Tran

Wish Coordinator

Twenty-one year old Jasmine Currie loves the freedom of her “fabulous” new Kool Stride All Terrain buggy from Medifab, says her mother Jeanette.“The buggy makes it much easier for us to get out for quick walks or go to the park than Jasmine’s wheelchair which is limited by speed. She sits quite happily in it watching whatever is going on, and I often let her choose which way we’re going, as long as we don’t end up too far from home!”

The rugged, yet stylish three-wheeled sports buggy is designed to handle most outdoor terrains, allowing children with physical challenges weighing up to 70 kg to enjoy walks at the beach, forest, farms or rivers, as well as in urban areas on pathways, grass and gravel. The Kool Stride is easily pushed by a caregiver either walking or jogging behind, and folds simply and compactly for transportation.

Jasmine’s buggy has had extra padding added to the seating by Medifab to meet her postural needs. She has severe cerebral palsy which affects all four of her limbs, and requires total care and postural support to keep her in the right position throughout her day-to-day activities. “Without correct positioning other parts her body can end up out of alignment. A lot of time is spent keeping her comfortable and safe and ensuring her weight is evenly spread. Getting it right is very important.”

Jeanette has had a long involvement with Medifab, using several of the company’s products with Jasmine since she was aged eight or nine years old. “As well as the new buggy we’ve been provided with support aids, two shower tables and a booster car seat from Medifab which met her needs for several years as she grew. The Medifab team has also helped us with heaps of modifications and adjustments to Jasmine’s wheelchair over the years, customising a lot of her seating and belts. They are lovely boys and great to deal with – always finding ways to make things work for us. Jasmine has had a real soft spot for them right from the start.”

Jasmine enjoys attending the Chris Ruth day care centre in Ashburton four days a week, where she mixes with other adults in a “safe, happy environment”, says Jeanette. “On Thursdays we do music therapy at Hoon Hay and swimming on the way home. We take Fridays off after our big day in Christchurch.”

With warmer weather around the corner, Jeanette is looking forward to getting to the beach and doing other walks in the outdoors with Jasmine in the buggy. “The buggy will provide us with greater freedom and mobility for these sorts of outings and it can handle a bit of mud and dirt too, which is great.”

The KOOL STRIDE is so light, so pushable and easy to fold-up. It’s fantastic for enabling our son to be part of outdoor life, for walks on the beach or even just being in the garden. I do a lot of running with Tom in the Kool Stride and have also run the Gisborne Quarter Marathon. This is something Tom really enjoys.

I would recommend it.