Imagine, waiting 37 years before you ever experience the excitement and exhilaration of a sled ride down a snow-covered hill. That’s exactly how long Patrick O’Brien waited and it was worth every minute of the wait!

“It always looked fun when I used to see my brothers and friends out sled riding. I was unable to,” Patrick said. “It feels like I have wings.”

Patrick didn’t think sledding was possible growing up with a disability, but at our echoingCONNECTIONS of Northeast Ohio location in Canal Fulton, they made it happen with the help of the Canal Fulton Police and Fire Departments.

The individuals who attend echoingCONNECTIONS have a special relationship with the police and fire departments in Canal Fulton. In the past, the Police and Fire have helped us out by holding fundraisers in our name, volunteering at our onsite summer camp, and by just coming alongside us in friendship. The sled to make Patrick’s dream come true was just another example of their friendship with us. This special adaptable sled police officers found costs approximately $800, but it didn’t take long for them to get together and raise the money.

The police and fire departments are a pretty close group of people, the word spread in hours and they had the money!

You can read the full story at this link to Channel 5 News.  https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-stark/canal-fulton-police-fire-band-together-so-man-with-disabilities-can-go-sledding-for-the-first-time

This wonderful gift goes way beyond the sledding, it is a gift of community involvement, social interactions, and the feeling of completeness. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, giving life extra value and loving enough to go the extra mile to make a difference, that’s what this amazing story is all about!

Thank you seems so small considering the benefit of the efforts of these wonderful individuals at echoingCONNECTIONS, and the fire and police departments, who transformed something as simple as a sled ride into the experience of a lifetime!