Superstore helps Nerbas family

Cassandra Nerbas and her family received an early Christmas present Saturday as President's Choice Children's Charity and the Yorkton Real Canadian Superstore presented them with $12,500 towards the purchase of a van with a wheelchair lift.

Cassandra, 15, has Spastic Diplega, "a tightening of the muscles," explained her mother Val Nerbas.

The condition has required 13 surgeries to-date, one a particularly complicated hip surgery which left Cassandra unable to walk.

Val Nerbas said the donation from the Superstore staff, patrons, and its PCCC "means everything."

The van and its lift will give the family greater mobility, and help avoid pains and strains to family members.

"It's going to help our backs," said Val Nerbas, who explained as Cassandra has grown it is has been harder lifting her into their existing van. "I have put my hip and back out," she said, adding the lift will help avoid future strains.

"And it's going to make it easier for her (Cassandra)," said her mother, noting once the lift helps her into the van she will be able to transfer more easily to a seat.

Cassandra also has her learner's license, and the van will allow her to drive.

"When she gets her driver's license she'll be able to drive the van too," said Val.

Yorkton Superstore manager Bill Nathanail said the presentation exemplifies the theme of the PCCC "making a difficult life a little easier."

"We are so proud to be able to help and to be a part of a wonderful organization like president's Choice Children's Charity, which helps kids right in our communities," he said.

President's Choice Children's Charity is dedicated to making lives easier and is the National Premier Sponsor of Breakfast for Learning. Their focus is to remove some of the obstacles that make everyday living extremely difficult and to provide these young people with a renewed sense of dignity, independence and freedom by providing funding for adaptive equipment, environmental modifications, therapy and more. By sponsoring Breakfast for Learning President's Choice Children's Charity is helping to ensure that children in all communities attend school well nourished and ready to learn.

It has awarded over $46,000,000, helping over 6,500 families across Canada.