Benjamin Philip Frederick Buckler Smart was a very special little boy who was born on January 10, 2004. At 11 months old he was diagnosed with low platelets and diabetes. He underwent two (2) bone marrow transplants at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto just after his 2nd birthday. He then suffered from Graft vs Host Disease and lived 65% of his life in a special unit in the Hospital.

Benjamin was known as a very happy boy. He was a real character and loved to laugh at funny things just like any little boy his age would do. He passed away on November 16, 2011, less than 2 months before his 8th birthday,

Earlier this year, Benjamin’s parents, Doreen and Philip Smart, donated his state-of-the-art wheelchair and other medical supplies to CanGO with the request that the wheelchair be given to a suitable child in Guyana. This wheelchair can be adjusted as the child grows to adulthood.

An organization in Guyana (United Women for Special Needs Children) was contacted by CanGO to help locate a child who would benefit from this very generous donation from the Smart Family. A very deserving 7-year-old boy, Nidesh Persaud, fondly known as Vishal, was found in Berbice.

Vishal’s mother, a single parent with serious financial difficulties, had complications giving birth to Vishal, as a result of which he suffered brain damage. Vishal’s mom does everything for him as he is simply incapable of doing anything for himself. Over the years, with therapy and some medical assistance, his motor skills have improved somewhat, but he remains incapacitated.

Vishal’s mother and grandmother brought him to the clinic that CanGO held on Sunday, November 11 at the New Amsterdam School for Special Needs Children in Berbice. He was seen here by Dr. Clare Mitchell, our Developmental Paediatrician, and by Paula Holla, our Physiotherapist and adjustments were made to the wheelchair to accommodate Vishal’s disabled little body.

Vishal’s mother and grandmother were overwhelmed by the donation and are extremely appreciative of the wheelchair. Attached are pictures of Vishal in his new wheelchair.