You don’t need a reason to help people, but those who need it are eternally thankful for the kindness of others. Meet Alexa.
Alexa is a friendly, witty and warm middle school student. Like any girl her age, she enjoys spending time with her friends and being a part of clubs a
nd committees through school. Alexa joined the Fashion Club, Art Innovators, Math Team, is part of the Site Based Committee and was elected Publicity Manager for the Student Council, all while keeping a 96.64 GPA. But something about this sweet girl is a little bit different.
Alexa has a progressive neuromuscular disease affecting her peripheral nerves, called Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT). This causes severe weakness in her hands, arms, legs and feet. She has been unable to walk since she was 9-years-old and uses a wheelchair, which she cannot operate on her own.
Levittown resident Dani Iadevaia, Alexa’s math teacher at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park, is a part of her student’s GoFundMe campaign.
“I had come across GoFundMe before and have donated to a local family,” she said. “I thought it was a great way to help out someone and know that the money can go directly to their needs.”
The practice of funding a project, cause or event by raising money from donors on the Internet is called crowdfunding. GoFundMe was launched online nearly five years ago and has become one of the top crowdfunding or fundraising sites for personal causes and life-events. Hundreds of thousands of people have raised more than $900 million collectively from more than 10 million donors through the GoFundMe website, which Iadevaia chose because it is easily navigable and user friendly. The site even gives an option for a page creator (Iadevaia) to set it up so that the family in need can collect the money directly. In Alexa’s case, all donations will go towards a van, which will better assist Alexa and her family members when she needs to travel.
“A van is now necessary because as Alexa gets older and bigger, it has become a safety hazard for her family,” said Iadevaia. “They struggle with transfer
ring her in and out of a car, disassembling and reassembling the wheelchair and lifting it in and out of the trunk. In addition to normal everyday activities, Alexa’s therapies require even more transport throughout the week, which is why her family is so concerned about safety.”
Always maintaining a great attitude, Alexa attends physical therapy four times a week with a smile. She also goes for hippotherapy—in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input in the form of physical, occupational and speech therapy.
According to Iadevaia, Alexa has been notified of her GoFundMe cause since its inception.
“She is kind, personable, well-rounded, involved in school, intelligent and humorous…just to name a few,” said Iadevaia. “I think it’s important for her to see everyone’s response—which has been great so far—because she has been so involved with making a difference in the Muscular Dystrophy Association.”
“A New Van For Alexa” received $1,000 in donations the first day and spiked to $10,000 in just a week and half. The campaign’s goal is set at $40,000 and is currently up to $11,201. The donations and help so far has meant more to Iadevaia and Alexa’s family than they can say.
“It’s easily shared with social media and reaches many generous, kind-hearted people who just want to help out in any way that they can,” said Iadevaia, who added that Alexa’s family plans on donating all money that surpasses the goal to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Charcot Marie Tooth Association. “Alexa has been working for years to raise awareness and funds for this disease, serving as the 2014 New York Metro Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where she spoke to crowds of over a thousand, including sports figures and celebrities. Now, her family is in need and I would do anything to help support them.”
To make a donation to “A Van For Alexa,” visit www.gofundme.com/qpkzvh .
