WASHINGTON TERRACE --Wyatt Ferlin needs a lift and he's counting on the community to help him out.
Wyatt has cerebral palsy, a condition that can affect moving, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. In April, he and his mother were in an automobile accident that destroyed their van. Because a new handicapped-access van is too costly, the family is now saving for a lift conversion kit that will assist Wyatt in and out of his vehicle while in his wheelchair.
On Saturday, the community held a yard sale and car wash to help raise money for the $25,000 lift. Jeff and Karen Johnson organized the event.
"This has really brought our community together," Jeff Johnson said. "We've had a lot of people bring in some real quality items and people are getting some smokin' deals today."
At 8 a.m. the parking lot was packed with potential buyers, looking at everything from furniture to clothing, toys and shoes.
"This is what it's all about," Karen Johnson said. "We have some really generous people here."
Wyatt's mother, Kirstin, went into labor with Wyatt three months early after becoming ill with toxemia, a potentially life threatening condition in which the mother's blood pressure can climb to dangerously high levels. When she gave birth to her son he weighed only 2 pounds 5 ounces.
"When Wyatt was a year old he wasn't rolling over and doing the things he should at that age," Ferlin said. "We took him to the doctor and they did a MRI. The test showed that he had cerebral palsy."
Wyatt's parents said he functions much like an infant and can't bathe, dress or feed himself at 10 years old. Doctors told them their son would never learn to eat and would be on a feeding tube his whole life, but Mike and Kirstin spent over two hours at each meal teaching Wyatt to eat and it proved to be successful.
"He's an amazing little boy and he has a really neat talent," Kirstin said. "His talent is that he teaches people how to serve."
Taylor McDonald, who helped wash cars for the event said he was amazed at the generosity of the public.
"We are charging $5 per car and people are handing us $10, $20, even $100," McDonald said. "This has been really good for our neighborhood. Everyone is pitching in for Wyatt."
The Ferlin's said they are grateful for the support and love from their community.
"It's amazing," Mike Ferlin said. "Everyone has just been amazing and we are grateful."
Another fundraiser will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at the new South Ogden Junior High School, 650 E. Pleasant Valley Drive. The fundraiser includes a spaghetti dinner and silent auction.
Donations also are being accepted at any Wells Fargo Bank under the account name of Wyatt's Ride. Keep updated on Wyatt's progress at wyattsride2010.blogspot.com.
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