via CAAI
Sat Sep. 18 2010
Samuel Seehawer got a hero's welcome from firefighters at his neighbourhood fire hall.
A little boy has a big goal: to help children just like him. Samuel Seehawer has no hands and only one leg.
"I decided to help those people in need," said Samuel Seehawer.
On Saturday, many in his neighbourhood came out to watch him pedal his bicycle alongside a police escort. He's riding to raise hope and money for kids just like him.
"I feel totally blessed with all these people here to support Samuel," said his mother, Charlotte Seehawer.
His mom says Samuel's life didn't begin with such fanfare, in fact just the opposite.
She met him when he was two-months-old at a Cambodian orphanage. He was born with congenital amputations and was abandoned.
Sam had a police escort while he rode through his neighbourhood with his mother running alongside.
"It was six years today that I first met Samuel at the government orphanage and had they told me that this was going to be happening today, my little boy with no hands and one leg, I'm amazed," added Charlotte Seehawer.
Now his mom has to run to keep up with him as Sam rode two full kilometres along with his special escort.
He's raising money for The Place of Rescue orphanage in Cambodia and one of its newest residents, a baby girl named Sarah. She too was abandoned, and also has congenital amputations, just like him.
"She had some physical challenges just like he does, he says she's just like me and I want to do something to help her," commented Blaine Sylvester with the Place of Rescue.
Along the way, Samuel was treated like a hero at his neighbourhood fire station, and people held up signs of encouragement along the way.
"I was pleased, excited, and a little bit surprised that a six-year-old boy would be so perceptive and willing to do this," added Sylvester.
"I'm delighted and I'm very, very proud," said Charlotte Seehawer.
So far, Samuel has raised more than $3,000 for The Place of Rescue which will help Sarah and 350 other Cambodian orphans.
Thank you for posting Samuel's story. I am Samuel's mother and very proud of what he is doing for Place Of Rescue Cambodia.
ReplyDeleteWe are teaching Samuel to be very proud of his Cambodian heritage.
His life,his courage and his determination will help make a difference to the Cambodian people.
To date, Samuel's Ride For Rescue has raised over $9,000 dollars.
Donations to Samuel's Ride For Rescue can still be made.
Contact: samuelsrideforrescue@gmail.com