Help Dorcas get a Special Bed and Wheel Chair

Hi, My name is Dorcas Grace. My birthday is on April 23, 2005. My parents are Aaron & Mary Ada Yoder. I have two sisters – Esther Joy, 14 and Annika Jewel, 9.

My identical twin sister and I were born prematurely, she passed away at three days old!

I had brain damage, which is why I am in a wheelchair.

My family & I really enjoy being outside on the farm, in the woods, camping, campfires etc……. But a lot of the time we can’t participate in such activities, because my wheelchair cannot go through loose gravel, dirt and such like! I really like horses & a dream I have is to train ponies, then have children come to the farm to ride, pet and play with them, as therapeutic exercise! We want to get an Action Trackchair to give me the freedom & mobility to be outside & achieve my goals!

I also need an electric-powered bed so that I can sit up in bed & lay down without assistance, giving me more independence.

Thank you for your contribution! Dorcas Grace Yoder

A note from Dorcas’ parents-

Dorcas is a cheerful young lady with a kind, compassionate heart, loves babies and snuggles them every chance she gets! She has dreams and goals, but often her physical limitations hold her back! She has faced MANY obstacles since she was born. She and her twin were born 12 weeks premature with her twin only living 3 days. Since then she has had numerous surgeries which included a couple hydrocephalus shunt surgeries early on and 3 years ago a major spinal selective dorsal rhizotomy to improve mobility of her legs along with many many hours of physical therapy.

Dorcas does have an orthopedic surgery coming up this fall to correct the structure of her one foot to enable her to bear more of her weight on both feet. This will also mean that she will be in a foot, leg, knee cast for 6 weeks, plus extensive continued therapy to stretch - strengthen her leg and foot muscles and tendons.

A few things that will help in all this are an electric powered bed & recliner! This will give Dorcas more freedom to function independently and assist greatly in helping her caretakers care for her! She is totally dependent on someone else to move her when she’s in bed as well as in the recliner!

She loves being outdoors working with animals, hiking in the woods, hunting & so much more!! Thus a track chair would greatly help her in getting around outdoors where her regular wheelchair is not able to go. Such as loose gravel, bare or wet dirt, uneven terrain and etc. She dreams of having a horse/pony of her own to be able to interact and give children rides.

The family’s goal is to help Dorcas become as independent as possible and stimulate creativity within her limitations so that she can be a blessing and inspiration to others.

We believe that God placed her here on earth and in our midst for a purpose. Despite the odds against her, God has given the grace and strength to overcome each one! Psalm 91:2- I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God in Him will I trust!

Thank You So Very Much for your contribution! You are making a huge difference in Dorcas’ life and all those around her! We are so excited for the new equipment & to see Dorcas’ smile the first time she experiences the reality of driving through gravel and NOT getting stuck!! God Bless You!

Aaron & Mary Ada Yoder

Worthington, IN