March of Dimes’ DesignAbility® program recruits volunteers with skills such as woodworking, metalworking, electronics and engineering and brings them together with individuals in need of their special talents. Our caring DesignAbility volunteers then use their ingenuity and spirit to help people find simple, inexpensive solutions to everyday problems.

In her own words, Ursula Bauerle speaks about her experiences with DesignAbility.

I am many things in life but above all else I am a mom. My three beautiful children – two sons and a daughter – are the centre of my world. All three are grown now… but my son Peter will always have the needs of a child. You see, my baby boy was born with a rare metabolic imbalance, which is a very serious progressive and life-limiting disorder. Today, at 38, Peter can’t walk, dress or bathe himself. But his smile still has the power to melt my heart. In spite of his many challenges, I know he is happy.Like any mother, I want to give Peter as rich a life as possible.

Among the many assistive devises we depend on is a very special stroller. We use it for everyday activities like showering and outings away from home. On warm summer evenings, you’ll often find Peter relaxing on our porch, cozy and safe in his stroller.

That stroller is central to Peter’s quality of life. So, perhaps you can imagine my dismay whenit broke down. I was told it would cost $400 to fix with no guarantees.

It looked like I would have to buy a new stroller for $1,000. I had just about given up hope. Then I found a miracle.

It came in the form of Theo, a warm and caring volunteer with March of Dimes’ DesignAbility Program. He took one look at Peter’s stroller and said, “This will be no problem at all to fix.”

True to his word, Theo had the stroller back to us the very next day – better than new. It only cost $25. I was over the moon with happiness and gratitude. My family found the help we desperately needed – we found Theo.

As soon as we discovered Theo and the DesignAbility Program everything fell into place. Theo explained what volunteering with the program meant to him and his words warmed my heart. “I just want to help,” he said. “I want to make a difference in a real and practical way.”

That explains the satisfaction in Theo’s eyes when he brought back our stroller. It explains the compassion in his voice when he then offered to fix Peter’s wheelchair. Everything these amazing volunteers do for families like mine is a labour of love.

My experience with Theo and the DesignAbility Program has made me a big fan of March of Dimes.

I am many things in life but above all else I am a mom. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my children’s happiness.

Ursula Bauerle, Peter’s mother

March of Dimes is thrilled to announce our first DesignAbility® chapter in Calgary, Alberta, led by Phillip Benson. If you are interested in volunteering with DesignAbility® or starting a chapter in your community please contact 1-800-263-3463 ext. 7250 or e-mail designability@marchofdimes.ca