Lincoln Elementary School’s student council smiles proudly after raising $150 for the Black family to purchase a new wheelchair.

This year’s Christmas gifts were not the only thing on Lincoln Elementary students’ minds. Instead, students at the Warsaw school were focusing their attentions on helping raise money for a local family in desperate need of a new wheelchair.

Kate Black was merely 4 months old when doctors discovered she suffered from a very rare and life threatening urea cycle disorder.

Since birth, Kate had suffered from frequent high fevers. Although her mother, Ashley Black, believed something was seriously wrong with her daughter’s health, doctors believed otherwise. It wasn’t until Kate was airlifted to Riley’s Children’s Hospital that the severity of the situation became clear.

Kate had fallen into a coma from a fever that had spiked too high. Doctors placed Kate on life support and told her mother she would not survive. Ashley held onto hope however, and refused to take Kate off life support. Against all odds, Kate awoke 12 hours later.

Although Kate survived, the effects of the episode were severe. Kate now suffers from seizures and must use a wheelchair. Her current wheelchair cannot be lifted into a vehicle and is dangerous to Kate when she has an episode.

After Ashley posted online how much easier her life would be if she could purchase Kate a new, safer wheelchair, family friend Kimm Silveus and her daughter took notice and began efforts in turning this dream into a reality.

Lincoln Elementary student Layla Silveus presents a check to Ashley Black for $150. Also pictured are student council directors Pam Carroll, left, and Linda Jacko.

Although her mother was working toward receiving donations through her Facebook page for the Black family, daughter Layla wanted to do more.

Layla went before the Lincoln Elementary School student council and requested that the school create a fundraiser in honor of the Black family.

The student council created a “Hat Day” for fellow students. For one day, each student would be permitted to wear a hat to school provided that they offer a $1 donation toward Kate’s new wheelchair. Last week the school presented Ashley Black with a check for $150 from the student council fundraiser.

“She needed a new wheelchair and I thought that our school would be able to work together and raise a lot of money,” said Layla Silveus. “I try my hardest to help people and it means a lot to me to be able to do it. I am really proud of my school and I hope we can keep helping people.”

Layla Silveus, left, and Trinity Smith, center, present Ashley Black with the Smith family’s donation of an addition $150 toward a new wheelchair.

Ashley was also presented with another check for $150 from the Smith family whose daughter, Trinity, a fellow student at the elementary school, felt compelled to give more than a dollar after learning of the Black family’s need for a new wheelchair.

“The generosity and kindness that has been shown to us since this started has been an inspiration,” said Ashley upon receiving the checks. “We are so grateful for all of the support and love that has surrounded our family.”

Although the donations provided through fundraising have made strides toward obtaining a new wheelchair, the Black family is still short of the total needed. Anyone interested in contributing toward the purchase of Kate’s wheelchair may do so at Indiana Lake Federal Credit Union, Warsaw, by asking to donate to Ashley Black’s Special Savings Account. Should the Black family reach their goal all additional proceeds will be utilized for Kate’s medical fees.