By Esther Lauaki
Chloe Pennington wants nothing more than to see her baby girl Airianna take her first steps.
The Kurunjang toddler has been in and out of hospital since she was born with a long list of medical conditions – the most devastating being a neurological disorder leaving her unable to use the bottom half of her body.
Airianna requires a special wheelchair if she’s to have the best chance of walking.
“She’s been in and out of hospital and the doctors are working really hard to figure out what’s happening with Airianna,” Chloe told
Star Weekly.
“She has a mass around her bladder, and her spine has not developed how it should have … at just 23 months old, she has a lot of struggles ahead.”
Chloe, 18, has saved half of the amount needed to buy Airianna’s wheelchair and set up a crowdfunding campaign which raised more than $2000 in the past week towards a $7000 goal.
“Airianna is in need of expensive equipment to help her gain strength and balance to help get her up and moving as she’s very eager to catch up and play with her three cousins,” she said.
“I’ve got half the amount of money to pay for the equipment and need help so my beautiful angel can be up and walking on her own in no time.”
Chloe said she was heartened by how well Airianna took to a wheelchair she trialled last week.
“She can’t walk yet but I could see that she was trying … the wheelchair would mean that she could strengthen her legs.”
Donate: gofundme.com/airiannas-wheel-chair
