WARREN — A Warren family that was able to get their daughter a wheelchair-accessible van and wheelchair ramp at their home now are working to help a Girard family and daughter, who was in a wheelchair with spinal muscular atrophy.

Warren resident Danella Monsman is marking the third year she has had an Easter egg fundraiser that helped her daughter, Krista Monsman, now 11 and a fifth-grader in Warren. This year, efforts aim to help Cambrie Bentley, 12, of Girard and her mother Heather, who need a wheelchair-accessible van.

Cambrie and Krista receive physical therapy at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center in Howland.

“The Bentley family of Girard is in need of a wheelchair van for their 12-year-old daughter Cambrie, who has spinal muscular atrophy. This family is very close to our hearts as Cambrie and my daughter are best friends and have the same disease,” Danella said.

She said when Krista was receiving therapy, one of the therapists mentioned another little girl in the area with SMA.

SMA is a rare, degenerative neurological disorder affecting the body’s involuntary (autonomic) functions, including motor control.

MET ANOTHER FAMILY

“When Krista was first diagnosed it took me about four years to deal with this, and I wasn’t quite ready to meet anyone. We decided to meet the other family,” Danella said.

Krista said she was not aware there were any other children like her — let alone another local girl just six months older. The two met in 2017.

“We spoke to Cambrie first on the phone. I am very happy to have her as a friend. When she had her scoliosis surgery first, I was able to ask her questions about it before I got my surgery. We get to talk to each other on how we are doing after treatment,” Krista said.

Danella said she wanted to host the fundraiser again. She understands the struggles that other families of children with special needs go through to get what they need.

She said the accessible vehicles are expensive and insurance doesn’t help with the cost.

“We were successful the first two years because of family and friends and donations. I want to help Heather get Cambrie the independence, like Krista has, in being able to go everywhere and the safety aspect of it,” Danella said.

“After last year, I knew that I wanted to work with a different family every year going forward that has a child with a disability and are in need of medical adaptive equipment or medical equipment. This can be anything from wheelchair vans, ramps, lifts and bathroom modifications. More often than not, insurance does not cover these type of things and if they do the co-pay is still very expensive — and families struggle to get their child what is medically needed,” Danella said.

THE GIRLS

Cambrie is a sixth-grader in Girard schools. She and Krista spend time, when able, together doing activities such as swimming at Krista’s pool or shopping at Five Below and Hot Topic or going to dinner at Applebees, Perkins and Olive Garden.

“I will pick up Cambrie in our wheelchair van since we can fit two wheelchairs in there. It’s fun to get them both out and about together,” Danella said.

Krista and Cambrie said they like purchasing similar outfits.

“We like to match all the time,” Krista said.

The two like playing video games on virtual reality headsets, and talking to each other on the phone.

Krista had her scoliosis surgery in May 2022, going from a 16-degree curve to a 6-degree curve in her back. Cambrie had the same surgery in June 2021.

“It is nice to have someone to talk to who understands what I am going through. I had my back surgery first so I was able to talk about it with her,” Cambrie said.

THE MOMS

Heather Bentley and Danella met on Facebook and shared what they both had been through.

“Their prognosis before their treatment was available was not good. You get the diagnosis and it’s hard to swallow. It took me four years and then I was able to reach out to Heather,” Danella said.

Danella let Heather borrow their van for a weekend to see what it’s like.

The two mothers said the ramps and wheelchair-accessible van make it easier and allow for Krista and Cambrie to be out in the community more.

“Trying the van was like night and day for us. We are so grateful for the support and for the fundraisers and the help. It is wonderful to have Danella and her family, who understand what we are facing and going through,” Heather said.

Heather said her home has a ramp, but they use a car carrier rack on the back of their Chevrolet Equinox SUV. She said they take Cambrie off the chair and place her in the car and then the chair has to be loaded onto the carrier rack on the vehicle.

Danella said the process also has to be done in reverse.

Heather said they are appreciative to be the recipients of the egg fundraiser this year and plan to help in upcoming years with fundraising.

“Heather is going to work with me and help do the Egg My Yard fundraiser. What’s better than having two people who know exactly what everyone is going through with dealing with insurance and having a child with a disability? She understands just like I do,” Danella said.

Krista said when Cambrie gets a wheelchair van, it will mean they will get to see each other more.

KRISTA DAY

Feb. 19 of each year is “Krista Monsman Day” in Warren after Mayor Doug Franklin proclaimed it in 2020.

Krista said when classmates at school ask her why she is in a wheelchair, “I explain that my muscles are not as strong as everyone else. I don’t mind answering their questions.”

Danella said people can order eggs for the “Egg My Yard” event, which will have Easter eggs placed in yards the evening before Easter Sunday, April 9. In addition, a GoFundMe account has been set up for Cambrie.

“We go out Easter eve to make sure all the eggs are out by Easter morning. A few are different for Orthodox Easter or a weekend when the families can get together,” Danella said.

In 2022, Danella said 11,300 eggs were placed on 170 properties for Easter with 15 people, including her husband Chris, in three cars. She said this year 24 people in eight cars are expecting to do more.

The Girard teachers from Cambrie’s school also are hosting fundraiser at Blackhorse Tavern on March 25. Danella said plans are for a raffle for a cooler, and also for a fundraiser at Leon’s in Howland.

If you go …

WHAT: The third annual Egg My Yard fundraiser

WHY: To help a Girard family get a wheelchair-accessible van.

HOW: Candy-stuffed Easter eggs will be placed in yards for Easter morning for children in Trumbull County and surrounding areas.

CONTACT: Orders for 25 to 100 eggs being taken through March 24. Contact Danella or Makenzie Monsman at dmonsman@hotmail.com, Facebook @Wheels for Krista or call / text 330-647-0673. GoFundMe is also available by searching Cambrie Bentley.