Wishing well | Make-A-Wish Foundation partners with Hall’s RV to gift terminally ill child new camper – Sand Mountain Reporter

Enjoying the great outdoors in style will be a little easier for Levi Bryant thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Halls RV in Albertville.

Being a 6-year-old thats terminally ill has made things difficult for Levi. He lives in Attalla with his parents, Neil and Ashley Bryant and his older brother Caleb. Hes in kindergarten at The Shepherds Place in Boaz.

Levi was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 3, Ashley said. There is currently no cure and only steroid treatments to help slow the progression of the muscle wasting disease. Most boys are wheelchair dependent by age 9. Levis independent and determined attitude has helped him stay active until this point. Because of his condition, however, Levi has always wanted to play soccer and isnt able to.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) website, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. The website stated the muscle weakness is the principal symptom of DMD, and the affected child might have difficulty jumping, running and walking. The heart and respiratory muscles are affected, and progressive weakness and scoliosis result in impaired pulmonary function, which can eventually cause acute respiratory failure.

Initially, Neil said Levi wished for a cool backyard for him and his brother to play in, but soon changed his mind and asked for a camper. The Bryants enjoy camping, especially at Lake Guntersville.

Levi loves camping, fishing and making campfires with his brother, Ashley said. Levi loves being outdoors. Hes always up for an adventure no matter how tired he is. Levi and his brother plan to go camping this weekend. Theyve already planned their trip.

Ashley said Levi wanted to make sure he could go camping with his family before Neil deployed to Texas for border patrol with the National Guard. Neil said he was overjoyed by what the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Halls RV did for Levi.

This is so breathtaking, and I couldnt wait to see his face, Neil said. Hes super-excited, and he deserves it. Hes a firecracker.

Since campers can be expensive, Make-A-Wish Development Manager Christina Zabala said the foundation was lucky to find Halls RV in Albertville. With Halls RV being a family-owned business, owners Brook Battles and her parents, Randy and Sarah Hall, were able to give Make-A-Wish a discounted price for Levis camper. But, they didnt stop there. Battles said the Bryant Family would have everything they would need for the new camper, including a hitch, break-box, all of the hoses and camping equipment. Additionally, Battles and her family presented Levi and his brother with fishing poles and tackle and other camping gear to add to the camper.

We are so honored to be able to do this for Levi, Battles said. We wanted them to have everything that they needed for the camper, so they didnt have to worry about anything. We always want to help others.

Since Levis family wanted an outside kitchen and needed the camper to extend wider for wheelchair accessibility, Zabala was afraid the Make-A-Wish Foundation might not be able to find one in the specific price range. But, Halls RV gave the perfect deal on a camper complete with the wide, pull out extension and an outdoor kitchen.

Levi was so excited and overwhelmed, Ashley said. He cried, he smiled, he screamed with excitement once everyone left. Our hearts are overjoyed at the amount of friends and family who turned out [Tuesday] to share the day with Levi. Both of his kindergarten teachers were there [when Levi was given the camper]. What a blessing for us to know hes surrounded by people who love him as much as his family does.

Originally posted here:
Wishing well | Make-A-Wish Foundation partners with Hall's RV to gift terminally ill child new camper - Sand Mountain Reporter