ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking with Katy Stewart. Tell us a little bit about your son Ramon.

KATY STEWART: Ramon is a ten-year-old boy who here in Canmore. He’s been diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which means all four limbs of his body are affected. He’s not able to walk, talk or eat, so he is dependent on being in a wheelchair, but he’s a really great kid. He’s always happy and such a lovely person to be around. We’re just trying to do the best we can to provide him with what he needs.

RM: He’s pretty well known around town, isn’t he?

KS: Yeah, he’s pretty popular.

RM: There must be a lot of challenges being a parent to a child with those complex medical issues.

KS: Yeah. Our day-to-day activities include making sure he’s getting all of his medications, he’s fed with a G-tube, he has therapy and then school. Quite a long list of things we have to do on a regular basis.

RM: I understand you’re looking for a little assistance from the community right now?

KS: Our aide Max has been amazing. He put together a gofundme to help with alleviating some worries and stresses. We’re trying to purchase new equipment for Ramon because as he’s grown, he’s outgrown all of his adaptive equipment. It’s crazy how much these items cost, which are essential for someone with a disability. One of the bigger items that we need is a handicap van. The van we have right now is about 15 years old and it’s on its last limbs. We’re hoping that we can get some support because we’re kind of burnt out and we’ve just reached a point where we need help.

RM: Hopefully the community comes through like it usually does for people in town who need help.

KS: It’s been amazing. I’m so happy we live in Canmore. Everyone here is so amazing and so supportive, and it’s just such a beautiful community. It’s really hard for us to reach out, but the support we’ve received gives us hope to move forward and just keep going.

RM: A friend of yours has set up a bottle depot fundraiser as well?

KS: Max’s mom, Linda Monk, and Maria Rogers put together an account at the bottle depot, and then our friend Rebecca has been collecting names for a bottle drive. She has pickup times for Thursdays and Fridays this week.

RM: Where can people get the information on how to get a pickup time for the bottle drive?

KS: Rebecca has postings on the Bow Valley Community Connections page on Facebook.

RM: And as far as people donating on the gofundme, what’s the best way to find that?

KS: Ramon’s go fund me is called Helping Ramon Move Forward.

Filed under: Canmore