Wanda, 17 years old, NJ | 5 DAYS WAITING |

Wish submitted by:

CASA of Passaic and Union Counties (NJ)

Wanda is a non-verbal autistic young lady who has been in the foster care system for over four years. Her early life experiences were impacted by parental substance abuse, domestic violence, and neglect. She will most likely spend her life in institutional care. Wanda has six younger siblings, but her physical and cognitive limitations have made the siblings' caregivers unable to provide a home for her, so she remains in the child welfare system. Through her years in residential care, Wanda never really expressed any interest in social activities, until she recently discovered another resident's adult-sized tricycle. Clinicians at the program observed that Wanda really loved the tricycle. Thanks to the additional stability of the second back wheel, Wanda is able to balance safely and ride it independently.

Owning an adult tricycle would allow Wanda to ride alongside her peers at the program where she lives. She often shows great enthusiasm when she borrows her friends' tricycles, but having one of her own would enable her to participate more fully and benefit from increased socialization and independence. The staff at her program have requested assistance in fulfilling this special wish to enhance Wanda's life.