Unlocking Access for Paisley: Limb Loss & Military Children Awareness Campaign | L.E.A.P. with Paisley (Powered by Donorbox)

$21,432.11

Raised

Donations

$50,000

Goal

Paisley & Mom - A Prosthetic Wardrobe
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, MD

About Us

L.E.A.P. with Paisley, Inc. is a newly formed nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) born out of the desire to see one little girl walk and expanded to the world to reach and support other children living with limb loss or differences, and developmental disabilities. L.E.A.P stands for Lower Extremity Amputations and Prosthetics, but signifies the faith, courage and resilience required to overcome life’s most difficult challenges. We are simply committed to building awareness about differences in humanity, many of which we cannot see.

The Promise

Understanding that success is on the other side of service, and that the children are our future, our mission is to enhance the lives of children with limb loss or differences, and developmental disabilities through education, technology, and resources that promote independent living and an active lifestyle. Movement is our medicine, “because when you’re free to move, anything is possible!” - Toyota

The Campaign

March and April encourage awareness for developmental disabilities, limb loss or differences, and military children. We are excited for the opportunity to launch our first official awareness campaign, Unlocking Access for Paisley. Through this effort, we hope to complete a major in-home access project for Paisley, and proudly leap into in our philanthropic calling in service to more deserving children like Paisley by unlocking gifts of camp, sport, and areas of greater needs within our capacity.

The Face

L.E.A.P. with Paisley is inspired by a brave girl with a big way of being in this world, Paisley Alexandra Minor. Paisley is a thriving 5-year-old Limb Loss Champion, standing tall since 2019, and a Military exceptional family member assigned to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Paisley A. Minor
Limb Loss Champion, 2019
Wilmington, DE

The L.E.A.P.

As a bi-lateral, above-knee amputee and child with developmental delays, Paisley has significant special needs greater than what you can physically see. Her short life’s experience has been an entire leap of faith giving way to our moto, Just L.E.A.P. Nike says, “Just Do It”, Paisley says, “Just L.E.A.P.” which she has done boldly, facing adversity head on, and clearing a path to stand upright in this world to realize what is so simple for most, but challenging for her - to run, jump and play like all kids. As a military child, Paisley is among our youngest and bravest warriors and Americans heroes. Born to an active-duty officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paige L. Thomas, United States Marine Corps, she resides in Northern Virginia with Mom and her little brother, Major Minor (2), where Paige is assigned to the Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. Paisley is a patient of the Nation’s finest military care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

LtCol Paige Thomas, USMC & Family
Quantico, VA

The Story

Paisley was born with an extremely rare medical condition, affecting only one in a million live births. Clinically diagnosed as Tibial Hemimelia, Paisley was born without all the bones in her lower limbs and has undergone multiple surgeries in her life, of which and most significant, was the amputation of her lower limbs at 23 months old. Paisley uses a combination of prosthesis and a wheelchair for her mobility and now requires greater access to live independently. Paisley shows up every day and leaves nothing on the field. She owns her impossible demonstrating that when faced with obstacles in life, you must stand-up, take one step forward, and Just L.E.A.P. over the hurdle because only one of three things can happen - you can fall hard, you can land soft, or you can fly; no matter what you will get back up. Paisley is living proof that when a desire is backed by faith anything is possible. For us, the burning desire was that Paisley would walk. Now her greatest disability has become her greatest asset and this gift made room for us to serve others. There are no limits, Paisley’s a motivated challenged athlete willing to try everything and proven in her many extracurricular activities. The gallery connects you to her participation in swimming, ballet, gymnastics, soccer, martial arts and more.

Paisley Center Field,
Washington National's Stadium
Washington, D.C.Mobility Clinic
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Washington, D.C.

The Message

Life is a journey to access. As a single parent, special needs, limb loss and disability advocate, I established L.E.A.P with Paisley to support disabled families, like and including my own because charity begins at home; and my personal example qualifies me to offer the kind of unconditional dedication and support that can only be obtained by walking the same path. I empathize with the many challenges that so many families endure to solve basic needs. I’ve been blessed with the good fortune of a great career, education, experience, perspective, and training to research and create opportunity. There are expensive critical equipment requirements such as in-home elevators, lifts, generators, home modifications along with non-covered healthcare and wellness cost, safe playground materials, customized recreation equipment, adaptive clothing, and so much more that is essential for Paisley and other children’s access, and ultimate success in this world. I am committed to securing and aiding those needs through this Unlocking Access for Paisley Campaign.

Paisley & Mom, Weekly Rehab
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

The Ask

Together, with your generous contributions you can help make the promise of future clear and take the L.E.A.P. with Paisley! The campaign will complete access projects for Paisley and unlock access to more deserving children. It will also kickstart Paisley’s Children’s book series, “It’s a DIFFERENT World” and advance research and development of a proprietary occupational health initiative to serve the greater amputee community.

Amputee Fact Sheet - 2.1 million

Thank You

Paisley has been blessed with gifts of access and affiliation from the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, Semper Fidelis and America Fund, Walter Reed Society, Challenged Athletes Foundation and Camp No Limits Foundation. We are proud to pay it forward in service to more children living with limb loss or differences, and developmental disabilities.

Pre-Limb Loss Baby Paisley & Mom
Denver, CO Military Children