Lewiston-Porter Middle School student gives a gift to Niagara Cerebral Palsy

LEWISTON Charles Dieteman, Charlie, to his teachers and classmates, is a sixth-grade student at Lewiston-Porter Middle School who was born with cerebral palsy, a chronic condition affecting areas of the brain that control movement and muscle coordination.

But his mother, Tara McLellan, said her son is not slowed down one bit.

Charles rallied his school to raise funds for World Cerebral Palsy Day on Oct. 1, collecting and then donating more than $600 to Niagara Cerebral Palsy.

The nonprofit corporation offers 24-hour intermediate care, in-home respite, service coordination, independent living apartments, day treatment, clinical therapy, supported employment, and preschool and early childhood education.

McLellan said Charles has a mild form of cerebral palsy, but he struggles. Less than 7 percent of people with cerebral palsy have more than one type, but he has three, she said.

But cerebral palsy is not what defines the young boy, said Joy Khatib, a teacher at the Multi-Age Intermediate Education Center.

He is widely known throughout the school for his contagious smile, kind personality and compassion towards others, said Khatib, who said Charlie always sees the positive side to any situation.

McLellan mentioned the significance of Oct. 1 to Tina Oddy, one of Charles teachers and an adviser of the Lew-Port Builders Club, a volunteer group at the middle school. McLellan said they always celebrate the day at their house.

Khatib said to raise awareness about cerebral palsy, Charless former Multi-Age IEC class and the Builders Club joined forces, along with Oddy, Khatib and IEC teacher Katie Danahys class to organize an elementary and middle school fundraiser.

Students sold green awareness ribbon stickers for 50 cents, McLellan made green ribbons for the staff to wear, and students and teachers wore green ribbons to show support to their friend and fellow classmate.

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Lewiston-Porter Middle School student gives a gift to Niagara Cerebral Palsy