A small community in Renfrew County is rallying around one of its biggest- and smallest- stars.
Meredith Graham of Cobden was diagnosed with cerebral palsy just days after she was born. Four years later, she already has a long list of accomplishments that have made her parents proud.
"The best, probably the most exciting moment was when she laughed for the first time when she was three years old. And another big one was just this past March, she started using a chair. Before that we held her for 15 hours a day," her mother Julie Keon told CTV Ottawa.
Though Meredith can't speak, she has no trouble showing people her personality in several different ways.
"She communicates very well with her facial expressions and the sounds she makes," Keon said. "She's got a great sense of humour, she is very feisty."
As Meredith gets older, the Grahams will have to renovate their home to accommodate her needs. Appliances and furniture that an average person might take for granted will need to be refitted for Meredith's needs. For starters, the Grahams must install a wheelchair ramp on the back deck and a raised tub in the main floor bathroom.
"Right now I'm carrying her upstairs and using the bathroom upstairs to bathe her, and so I have to kneel on the floor, lean over the tub," Keon said. "Bathing her is like wrestling with a crocodile."
Thanks to the support of the Cobden community, these costly additions will be possible.
Ten years ago, resident Theresa Giroux started the Ride for Child program for her son Josh, who also had cerebral palsy. This year, funds raised will go to Meredith.
"It's pretty bittersweet, because Josh passed away two years ago. Meredith does a lot of actions josh used to," Giroux told CTV Ottawa. "She's absolutely an angel and I'd like to help."
The Ride for Meredith is a motorcycle trip across the Ottawa Valley, taking place on Sept. 6. The trip starts at the Pembroke Irving Big Stop at 10 a.m. and finishes at Johnny's Field in LaPasse.
The minimum donation for one rider is $15, which includes dinner. Donations will go towards specialized bedroom and washroom renovations.
To register, or for more information, visit Ride for Child.
With a report from CTV's Vanessa Lee
