Rolling In Dreams

Brothers Calan (9) and Lawson (5) have a rare clinical presentation of a mitochondrial disorder.  Since the mitochondria are vital to every cell in the body, the disorder impairs the function of all of their major organs.  The family visits doctors and hospitals multiple times each week to manage the condition. No child enjoys the hassle of medical treatment, but for young boys like Calan and Lawson, the hardest part about the condition is that it impairs their ability to stand and walk on their own.  As a result, both boys are wheelchair bound and every task requires special manipulations.

Until recently, the family lived in a typical home without wheelchair accessible modifications. This made it extremely challenging for the boys to learn independent tasks and play like other boys their age.  So, Calan made a wish through the Make a Wish Foundation. He wanted a backyard that he and his brother could play in like other boys. The Make a Wish Foundation joined forces with Chip and Joanna Gaines and the team at Magnolia Homes and the Tim Tebow Foundation to make not only Calan’s wish, but the entire family’s dreams come true!

Dreaming of a home where the boys could have freedom and independence, the Copp family saved money to buy a new and larger home. Unfortunately, the home was not wheelchair accessible and the necessary modifications were costly. Together the organizations raised enough money to improve the home and pay the family’s mortgage. The crew of the HGTV “Fixer Upper” show renovated the home with fully functional and beautiful wheelchair modifications. (To see the home visit https://magnolia.com/our-show/episode-10-copp-house/. The renovation was aired on January 30, 2018.)

In October of 2017, the Copp family was able to move into their fully wheelchair accessible home. Naturally, they wanted to celebrate the occasion and Icing Smiles was excited to complete the team effort by providing a cake for the celebration in February.  Sugar Angel Katrina Gonzalez with Kate Bakes It provided a 2 tiered Spiderman themed cake. The cake fittingly says “I can I will,” describing how the Copp boys now can do so much more and will take full advantage of their improved home.

The Copp family has also started a movement toward increasing support and access for those confined to wheelchairs.  The organization, called Raising Wheels is in its early stages, but, more information will be coming soon to http://www.raisingwheels.com.

This celebration was the epitome of teamwork the whole way through.  Icing Smiles was thrilled to be a part of the Copp family’s celebration of a very special event!