When seven-year-old Chloe was younger, she was diagnosed with PARS2, a disease that affects only 15 people in the world.
The disease impacts a body’s growth and functionality until eventually the body’s muscles begin to fail, starting from the limbs and later impacting bigger organs, including the heart.
Only one person diagnosed with PARS2 has lived beyond the age of 10, with that person passing away aged 20.
Despite the diagnosis, Chloe’s family is taking every day as it comes and is focusing on making memories.
Ms Parsons said the trailer would be a big help in carrying all of Chloe’s necessary equipment.
“We couldn’t go away and travel without taking all her supplies, so it’s just made it a lot easier,” she said.
“We’ve been told that she won’t live a long life ... It's really taught us that creating memories in life is far more important than anything else and the Lions have really helped us to do that.
“I couldn’t afford it and NDIS turned it down, so (Aspire) reached out to the Lions club and they said absolutely — it’s changed heaps for us and for Chloe.”
Disability service Aspire first reached out to the Lions club late last year and from there, the club sought a trailer.
It had the $3800 trailer custom-built to fit Chloe’s needs, a process that took a few months.
Now that the trailer has officially been donated, the Parsons family is already planning a holiday and bike rides at the park.
Moama Lions Club has been hard at work in the past few months to lend a helping hand to struggling residents.
It has also made a $1000 donation to a local couple whose daughter Arlette (Lettie) Eden Murphy was born prematurely in January.
The community has rallied behind the young family through a GoFundMe to help cover costs. The family will remain in Melbourne until mid-April while Lettie receives care.
Moama Lions Club chairman Bob Hardwick said members were happy to help those in need.
“Moama Lions are only too happy to help people out,” he said.
“That’s what we’re here for. We’ve been around for 48 years ... in that time we’ve done a lot of things that people don’t really know about.”
The Moama Lions are only able to help the community because of volunteers and, like many community groups, they are always on the lookout for more.
If anyone is interested in joining the club, they are welcome to attend the monthly meetings.
Meetings are held at the Moama RSL boardroom every second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 6.30pm.
If anyone would like to donate to Arlette and her family, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/lettie-murphy-tiny-but-mighty
24°C