Donated Stroller Puts Wheels on Dad's Dreams
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA May 24, 2006 - When Angel Hansen was born in June 2001, doctors were unsure how long she would live. Born with only a portion of her brain, dislocated hips, conjoined fingers, missing toes and only one kidney, the prognosis was grim.
Yet just a week after she was born, doctors determined Angel was able to go home with her parents, Jen and Doug Hansen of Huntington Beach, California. Today her smiles and laughter charm all those around her.
A veteran marathoner before Angel's birth, Doug began sharing his love of running with Angel by pushing her mile after mile in a standard baby jogger. A therapist had a better idea. “She told me there were jogging strollers available that actually used wheelchair seating and would give Angel better support and positioning on our runs. I did some research and found the “Kimba Cross” made by a Minneapolis company, Otto Bock HealthCare.”
Hearing of Doug and Angel’s many marathon runs for charity, Otto Bock HealthCare donated a Kimba Cross to their cause. Angel now rides in great comfort and style over the many miles in what is considered the best pediatric positioning jogging stroller on the market because of its high level of security, flexibility and easy handling, even in rugged terrain.
“My number one priority is that Angel has a great experience when we run, and our first time out with the stroller I saw the difference the Kimba Cross makes for her,” says Doug. “She is now much more aware of her surroundings, and I can see she’s very secure and content in the wheelchair seating.”
Angel and Doug completed six marathons in 2005, and February 5th was the start of a new year of running when they took part in the Pacific Shoreline Marathon. Other marathons scheduled for 2006 include the L.A. Marathon in March and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) Marathon in October.
The runs are used as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for "Angels Charity" (www.angelscharity.com.) Founded in 2003, Angels Charity was established by Angel’s parents to make a difference in the lives of special needs children. Money raised by the charity is currently helping fund major improvements to TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa, CA. The entire project is designed to provide the disabled community the opportunity to participate with their non-disabled friends, family and schoolmates in a free, safe community park.
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Established in 1958, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare LLP is the North and South American corporate headquarters of Otto Bock Healthcare, GmbH, based in Duderstadt, Germany. Otto Bock has more than 3,500 employees worldwide and produces over 20,000 types of prosthetic and orthotic components, rehabilitation products and technical plastics, and also provides information technology services. ### |
