Isanti Family In Nat'l Contest To Win Accessible Van
ISANTI, Minn. (WCCO) - Even though five-year-old Brecken Dahlberg can't speak, it takes about two seconds to figure out that he has as much enthusiasm and zest for life as any other kids his age.
Mindy Dahlberg, Brecken's mother, says he's a miracle. He suffered from a lack of oxygen before his birth, and wasn't able to take life-sustaining breaths on his own.
"There was a good chance that he wasn't going to make it, and we're very lucky he did," Mindy said.
But as Brecken grows, getting him from place to place has become that much harder. He suffers from seizures and has cerebral palsy.
Jason Dahlberg says getting his son from his wheelchair, into his car seat, and then back out again in the Minnesota cold is no easy task.
"Just going anywhere with our two oldest boys and him - there's not a whole lot of room for other things," Josh said.
And that's why the Dahlbergs are in a national competition to try to win a wheelchair-accessible van. The contest is part of National Mobility Awareness Month, which is celebrated during May.
Brecken's family is trying to get enough votes to win a van that would otherwise cost them up to $50,000.
"Oh, it would be fabulous. It would be a huge burden taken off of our shoulders," Mindy said.
They are competing against dozens of others from across the country. But for the Dahlbergs, it's all about making sure Brecken is included – now and for the long haul.
"To be able to go with us to the zoo or what have you…or even just going to the store during the winter months. That's what, you know, having a modified van would mean for us and Brecken," she said.
The Dahlberg's are hoping to use the money they save from the van to help modify their home for Brecken.
If you would like to vote for Brecken, click here.
