|
Ahlstrom cousins, 7, battle back from injury with help of generous Napans
Isaiah Ahlstrom, front, and his cousin Koda Inman-Ahlstrom, both 7, race around on their Quickie Mach 2 bikes in Kennedy Park. Though they cannot walk, the boys have come a long way since a serious car accident last April.
Andrea Roth/Register | Buy photos
Share
Email
Print
CommentIsaiah Ahlstrom and Koda Inman-Ahlstrom are pretty much your average 7-year-old boys.
In recent weeks the Napa cousins have been zipping around on their bikes, playing basketball each Saturday, teasing each other about kissing girls, boasting to each other about their athletic exploits -- and of course lamenting the end of summer and the beginning of school.
In recent weeks the Napa cousins have been zipping around on their bikes, playing basketball each Saturday, teasing each other about kissing girls, boasting to each other about their athletic exploits -- and of course lamenting the end of summer and the beginning of school.
"I want to go to Hawaii," Isaiah said when asked what he'd like to do instead. "I want to join a bobsled team."
From the chatter, you wouldn't know Isaiah and Koda, both 7, have overcome great obstacles since surviving a car crash on the way to their great grandmother's funeral April 14. You also wouldn't know that life without the use of their legs will force them to overcome more obstacles.
From the chatter, you wouldn't know Isaiah and Koda, both 7, have overcome great obstacles since surviving a car crash on the way to their great grandmother's funeral April 14. You also wouldn't know that life without the use of their legs will force them to overcome more obstacles.
But there's also little doubt -- as they race around on hand-cranked bikes with their mothers riding on the back -- that they'll find a way to show the world they can do what they want.
Their mothers say that's due in no small part to the help of generous Napans, whose donations to the Ahlstrom Cousins Fund have made it possible to build ramps at their homes, buy the special bikes and get wheelchairs for the two of them.
Their mothers say that's due in no small part to the help of generous Napans, whose donations to the Ahlstrom Cousins Fund have made it possible to build ramps at their homes, buy the special bikes and get wheelchairs for the two of them.
"West Park (Elementary School) has been amazing," Erin Ahlstrom said. "When (Isaiah) was in the hospital the whole school sent him a card."
Earlier this month Shriner's spokespeople set up assemblies at each boy's school -- Koda attends Bel Aire Park Elementary -- to explain to classmates and faculty how the injuries from the crash affected the Ahlstroms.
They received bicycles in late August. The boys' grandfather Craig Ahlstrom said on the Ahlstrom Cousin Web Site -- www.caringbridge.com/visit/ahlstromcousin -- the bikes are "good for their biceps, mobility and freedom of spirit."
The boys are quickly adapting to their new way of life.
They've become part of what's called the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, which hosts a youth basketball program for kids with disabilities. Today they're due to meet with a wheelchair-bound Antioch man who makes motorcycles.
"They're both doing awesome right now," Kaila Inman, Koda's mom, said. "He's famous at school."
Koda likes math, reading and recess.
"Everything's good," said Kaila Inman. "He's a little spoiled, but other than that everything is normal."
The Ahlstrom clan is throwing a fundraising barbecue at Yountville's Veteran's Memorial Park Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an auction, raffle and disc jockey, plus children's activities like a jump house and face painting. Tickets are available at Silverado Dental Care, which can be reached at 224-7666. Members of the Ahlstrom family are matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000 with all proceeds going to the Ahlstrom Cousin Fund.
To donate, send money to: U.S. Bank, Ahlstrom Cousin Charitable Trust Fund, 880 Jefferson Street, Napa CA 94559.
Earlier this month Shriner's spokespeople set up assemblies at each boy's school -- Koda attends Bel Aire Park Elementary -- to explain to classmates and faculty how the injuries from the crash affected the Ahlstroms.
They received bicycles in late August. The boys' grandfather Craig Ahlstrom said on the Ahlstrom Cousin Web Site -- www.caringbridge.com/visit/ahlstromcousin -- the bikes are "good for their biceps, mobility and freedom of spirit."
The boys are quickly adapting to their new way of life.
They've become part of what's called the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, which hosts a youth basketball program for kids with disabilities. Today they're due to meet with a wheelchair-bound Antioch man who makes motorcycles.
"They're both doing awesome right now," Kaila Inman, Koda's mom, said. "He's famous at school."
Koda likes math, reading and recess.
"Everything's good," said Kaila Inman. "He's a little spoiled, but other than that everything is normal."
The Ahlstrom clan is throwing a fundraising barbecue at Yountville's Veteran's Memorial Park Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an auction, raffle and disc jockey, plus children's activities like a jump house and face painting. Tickets are available at Silverado Dental Care, which can be reached at 224-7666. Members of the Ahlstrom family are matching donations dollar for dollar up to $25,000 with all proceeds going to the Ahlstrom Cousin Fund.
To donate, send money to: U.S. Bank, Ahlstrom Cousin Charitable Trust Fund, 880 Jefferson Street, Napa CA 94559.
No comments posted.
Join the conversation
Comment guidelines
All comments will be screened and may take several hours to be posted.
• Keep comments clear, concise and focused on the topic in the story.
• Comments exceeding 300 words will not be posted.
• Refrain from personal attacks, degrading comments or remarks that do not add to a constructive dialogue.
• Comments implying suspects in crime-related stories are guilty before they have been proven so in a court of law will be deleted.
• Do not post e-mail addresses or links except for pages on Napavalleyregister.com or government Web sites.
• Comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined.
• Comments may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.
• If you feel a posted comment has violated our guidelines, please contact dross@napanews.com or bkennedy@napanews.com
For further information on the comment guidelines, click here.
|
|
