This article was originally published by Lauren McMillen on WDTV.com
The Mazza family tragically lost their 4-year-old son, Wade, four years ago to a rare brain disorder.
“He was born with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC), which is an absence of the connection between the left and right side of his brain. He was also born with multiple other medical problems, as well. He couldn’t talk, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t do things for himself,” said Jason Mazza, Wade’s father.
Although Wade was unable to walk, his family kept him active and he loved the outdoors. The only problem, he couldn’t always join in on the fun.
“With having two other children, we wanted to go to parks and we did go to parks. However, Wade a lot of times would have to sit in his wheelchair and just watch our other two girls swing and run around because he wasn’t able to do that because the playgrounds were not handicapped accessible,” said Laura Mazza, Wade’s mother.
But to make sure other kids get the chance to play, the family is pushing for an all accessible and inclusive playground in memory of Wade.
“If we can find this equipment and bring it here, we just want to make other children happy and we want to try to find equipment that Wade would have enjoyed,” said Mazza.
And the name couldn’t be more fitting.
“We’re wanting to name the playground Wade’s World of Wonder Playground,” said Mazza.
The family has been working with Ingrid Kanics of Kanics Inclusive Design Service LLC and the Kingwood Pool Committee to help bring the project to life. Plans include everything from a zip line, group swings, and a merry-go-round where all kids can join in.
They are also in talks with the Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission to build the playground on nine acres granted to the Commission near the new Preston Memorial Hospital.
“There is quite a few pieces of equipment that we are looking at where they can be transferred over, but there’s quite a few pieces where they don’t even have to be and they can rely upon themselves to be able to wheel themselves up onto the pieces of equipment,” said Mazza.
The project is expected to cost around $100,000, so the family started a memorial fund to help raise proceeds. If you would like to donate, you can contact the family at wadeswowplayground@gmail.com.
The post Family Working to Build All-Inclusive Playground in Son’s Honor appeared first on Wade's World Of Wonder.
