Shinia, 19 years old, MO | 12 DAYS WAITING

Wish submitted by:

Shinia is a sweet, adventurous young woman currently in college. She entered care as a teen after experiencing abuse. For most of her life, she has looked after her younger siblings. Shinia has juvenile arthritis, and this has caused her to have several foster homes; the foster parents either were afraid of her disability or did not know how to take care of her and were not trained in how to care for her. Shinia has a free spirit and is always happy. Her positive outlook on life is contagious, and she has become everybody's friend on campus and absolutely loves college life!

Shinia has juvenile arthritis that went untreated during her childhood, resulting in mobility issues as a teenager. She struggles to walk long distances and often needs to rest while traveling to her destinations. Last year, a graduating senior recognized her difficulties and gifted her a bicycle. Although Shinia uses it to get to school, it often exhausts her, and on tougher days, it leaves her in pain. There have been instances where she left the bicycle at school to be retrieved later because she simply didn’t have the energy to pedal it home. Having an electric bike would greatly benefit her, allowing her to conserve energy to complete her college days and return home safely without unnecessary delays. Shinia is not one to ask for help; this has been the life she has grown accustomed to. However, having an e-bike would enhance her life in numerous ways. For her, it represents more than just transportation; it signifies safety and the ability to participate in more opportunities.