One Family, One Fight- Help Mia Walk Again
Donation protected
Mia, a valley native, was born and raised in Fresno. She had always dreamed of being a firefighter. After graduating high school, Mia made her dream a reality and became a firefighter on a crew with CAL Fire in Butte County. She loved every minute of firefighting and found it to be ever so peaceful working out in the wilderness. As fire season ended, Mia made the decision to move back home to attend Fresno City College’s accredited Fire Academy. On September 2nd, 2017 Mia’s love for the outdoors took her outside hiking in the Sequoia National Park. That day Mia’s life changed forever as she sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of an accident. The next year would prove to be tough with multiple challenges but she persevered. Despite her injuries, Mia managed to graduate from the Fire Academy as an Honorary Firefighter and at the top of her class.
In 2018, Mia became an intern and volunteer for the Fresno Fire Department Investigations Team. She has since become a trained Youth Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and a Burn Aware Coordinator which allows her to organize and present fire safety education at elementary schools throughout Fresno County. She is an active participant in the Central Valley Burn Prevention Coalition and is assisting with the planning of Fresno Fire’s “Girl’s Empowerment Camp” that will take place this April. Most recently, Mia was promoted to the position of an Administrative Assistant for the Investigations, Prevention and Training Division.
Mia has continued to work with therapists and doctors to improve her condition. She has completely surpassed initial physical expectations set for her and has shown great progress. Mia recently had the chance to try out an Exoskeleton Suit that allowed her to walk on two feet without assistance. There are a series of rigorous test that must be passed to even be eligible to try out this new technology, and Mia met and surpassed those requirements with flying colors. She also worked with a “gait trainer” that involved electro-stimulation on a treadmill. Unfortunately, these therapies are not covered by insurance and are costly. We are asking for support from our local communities to assist Mia with these therapy expenses that will assist her in attaining her goal of walking again.
Please be advised that this is not a 501 (c)3 organization, nor is this a not-for-profit organization.
In 2018, Mia became an intern and volunteer for the Fresno Fire Department Investigations Team. She has since become a trained Youth Fire Setter Intervention Specialist and a Burn Aware Coordinator which allows her to organize and present fire safety education at elementary schools throughout Fresno County. She is an active participant in the Central Valley Burn Prevention Coalition and is assisting with the planning of Fresno Fire’s “Girl’s Empowerment Camp” that will take place this April. Most recently, Mia was promoted to the position of an Administrative Assistant for the Investigations, Prevention and Training Division.
Mia has continued to work with therapists and doctors to improve her condition. She has completely surpassed initial physical expectations set for her and has shown great progress. Mia recently had the chance to try out an Exoskeleton Suit that allowed her to walk on two feet without assistance. There are a series of rigorous test that must be passed to even be eligible to try out this new technology, and Mia met and surpassed those requirements with flying colors. She also worked with a “gait trainer” that involved electro-stimulation on a treadmill. Unfortunately, these therapies are not covered by insurance and are costly. We are asking for support from our local communities to assist Mia with these therapy expenses that will assist her in attaining her goal of walking again.
Please be advised that this is not a 501 (c)3 organization, nor is this a not-for-profit organization.
Organizer and beneficiary
Shana Henry
Organizer
Clovis, CA
Mia Gonzalez
Beneficiary