Bella’s Bumbas: Still Going Strong, Helping Children Around the Country and World!

August 2, 2018

Written By

Mary Friona Celani

We LOVE LOVE LOVE this story.

We first told you about a local family’s mission to give children much needed independence in March of 2017.

We were the first to tell you about Bella’s Bumbas and we are thrilled about what happened next. Local television stations picked up the story, then national outlets – and soon, this amazing organization turned into a thriving non-profit helping children and families around the state, country and the world.

It all started with a beautiful little girl.

Bella Shorr was born with Spina Bifida and couldn’t get around much. Bella’s aunt and uncle, Rebecca Orr and Marty Parzynski, found instructions to build a wheelchair from a Bumbo seat and stroller wheels. They asked her parents, Jeffrey and Sonya if they could try to make one for Bella. The idea took off … and so did Bella!

 

 

Bella’s father told me last March that this idea – this chair – was so much more than just a way to get around, “We saw improvements in her hand eye coordination, her mood seemed to improve, and she was just all around happier. The chair gave her and us a sense of normalcy, if there is such a thing.”

They’ve seen the incredible results and now they’re all working to help other children. Rebecca Parzynski, Jeffrey’s aunt who helped make the chair, says watching little Isabella move around was a gift and they just knew they had to help other children, “After seeing the freedom and joy it gave her, we decided we could make more to pass along.”

And boy did they!!!!

Now, you can find parties and fundraisers all around the country. They’ve shipped out more than 300 Bella’s Bumbas in the past year. Yes, 300! Some of them sent internationally!  The most amazing part – families do not pay ANYTHING for the chairs. The only cost to the family is shipping. It’s truly astounding, isn’t it?!

 

 

Perhaps one mom’s post sums up this mission best,

“This is my baby Malachi. Thank you so much for giving him the gift of mobility. We can’t wait to watch him grow and learn and discover more of the world around him. What you all do for these kids is nothing short of amazing.”

We could not agree more!

For more information on Bella’s Bumbas and their mission – and to make a donation – visit their Facebook Page. 

 

 

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About Me

 

 

Welcome to Totally Buffalo! A local lifestyle website.

My name is Mary Friona-Celani and I am the creator of this site! I’m a wife, a mom, a grandma, a Buffalo booster, an entrepreneur and a small business owner. I’m so glad you stopped by.  After 20 years in the buffalo media, I went out on my own to tell stories about the people, places, events and all-around fabulousness of this wonderful place we call home. Buffalo is different and so is this site. We are here to share stories, encourage kindness, and help make this a better place to live.

We’ll help those in need when we can through our charity arm, Totally Buffalo Cares.

We help local small businesses, artisans and vendors though our events and our Totally Buffalo Stores.

We’ll do all of this with a little help from friends in our community.

 

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