DIANA KUEN LETTER:
Blake is such a wonderful kid. When I first met him he was depressed
and angry. Who can blame him. But now, he is a fun loving 19 year
old, cracking jokes, and doing his best to maintain a positive
attitude. He wants to make something of his life, but he has endless
obstacles ahead of him. He is still living at Beth Abraham, which is
an incredibly depressing facility with very little resources. His
grandmother took off and moved to Atlanta shortly after his accident,
and despite what the Daily News article says, his father is NOT in
his life at all. His father didn’t even visit him on Christmas. I
was the only one to show up with gifts on Christmas day.
Not only was Blake depressed and angry his first year, but it was a
horrible road trying to ween him off the overdose of painkillers he’d
been given. Blake has overcome incredibly odds, and he still has
such a tough road ahead of him. A few months back I took him to get
fitted for a new wheelchair, and the results were horrifying. The
chair he’s been in is old, heavy and too small. It’s actually making
his condition worse. He’s grown three inches since he’s been at Beth
Abe, but he hasn’t been given a new chair. He has limited movement
with his hands, so pushing the heavy chair is causing his already
crippled hands to become more rigid. His chair doesn’t have back
support, so he’s developed a curve in his spine… as if being
paralyzed wasn’t bad enough! While Blake is living at Beth Abraham,
insurance will NOT pay for a new chair. He has no where to go, so he
won’t ever get a new chair.
That being said, it has become my mission to buy Blake a new chair.
I have rallied some friends to help me hold a fundraiser at
Prohibition Bar & Restaurant on Thurs. Jan 21st. Here’s a link to
the event… http://www.eventbrite.com/event/526891948/?ref=esfb
I also have the event posted on Facebook right now. The website
SupportBlakeHunt.com will host all the information regarding the
event / donations, and people can follow his story and and
communicate with him. I will post his Facebook page so people can
contact him directly. I want to get as much support for Blake as
humanly possible. We can’t change the world, but we can make a
difference.
Giants players will be in attendance and I plan to have one of the
Giants players wheel Blake’s new chair out to him the night of the
event! Blake will be attending the event with his girlfriend (she’s
an entirely separate inspirational story!!!). These kids are so
amazing and special, you have no idea!!
I could go on forever about Blake. I have countless funny stories.
He’s become like a little brother to me. I try to be a constant in
his life. He knows he can depend on me and I will be there for him,
no matter what. I won’t be one of the countless people who has
abandoned him.
Btw, I have Blake ready to take his SATs in the spring with his eyes
set on college. He really wants to make something of his life.
Blake is an inspiration. He’s touched my life probably more than I’ve touched his.
