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Posted 5:04 PM 4/16/2012 : Kristi's Kid needs new wheels

TUCSON -- One Kristi's Kids likes to be on-the-go despite his disability so his family is pulling out all the stops to get some new wheels.

It's National Mobility Awareness Month and Chad Preble's old ride is difficult to use.
The family needs to win a new van.

It won't cost you a dime; just need a few seconds of your time, by voting for Chad. The link is at the bottom of this article.

"They were given less than a 25% chance of survival," says Sue Preble, Chad's mom.

Chad and his twin, Conner, were born 3 months premature.

"Chad came out weighing one pound 12 ounces and was 13 inches long."

Chad spent the first 85 days in the NIC-U at Tucson Medical Center. Before he turned one year old the family knew he wasn't a typical baby.

"He was stronger than an 8 month old should be."

He went to the pediatrician and then a neurologist.

"Chad was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy."

That's the most severe type of C.P.. All four of Chad's limbs and his torso are affected.

"But his very favorite word is go!" his mom says. "He just wants to be out and about and in town."

Chad is 17 years-old now so loading up in the family truck is a big ordeal. Mom has to lift him and secure him in a car seat.

Then she has to break-down, and load up, his wheelchair which weighs 70 pounds.

They do it all over again when they get to their destination.
A huge burden repeated several times a day, every day. So the family entered a contest to win a wheelchair accessible van.

"I wouldn't have to take the chair apart because Chad would roll right into the van seated right in his hotrod," his mom explains.

"We really hope that we can get the community behind us. We are the only entrants from Tucson.

The good news is you can make it happen for Chad. Go to this link every day until May 13th to vote for Chad so his family can get one of three vans being given away.

And learn more about Chad's story by checking out his blog by clicking here.

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