[Hartford, Conn., September 12, 2011] — Three-year-old Edil Garcia Rivera lives in Puerto Rico. He suffers from a seizure disorder called hypotonia and has cognitive disabilities. Edil cannot walk and he’s had to be carried around by his mother his entire life.

Edil’s seven-year-old sister, Daniellyz, who lives with her grandparents Jorge Rodriguez and Guadalupe Velazquez in Hartford, Conn., brought her brother’s plight to the attention of her after-school mentors at the city’s Charter Oak Cultural Center, who discussed Edil’s needs with U.S. Congressman John Larson (D-Connecticut). Larson put the Center in touch with Rocky Hill, Conn.-based ATG Rehab, a national supplier of complex rehabilitation and mobility equipment.

ATG custom-built and donated to Edil a Quickie Iris tilt-in-space manual wheelchair and presented it to his family at a recent gathering at the center. In its design phase, the team at ATG worked closely with Edil’s physician in Puerto Rico to create a chair that would meet his needs as he grew. The chair’s custom tailored seating system will provide him with appropriate positioning and support. When utilized with the tilt feature of the Iris, Edil’s family are now able to reposition him throughout the day for different activities and better postural control. In addition to the wheelchair, ATG also donated a specialized bath chair to the family to further aid in their care for Edil.

“This wheelchair means a lot for my grandson and for us. We didn’t expect something so special and we really appreciate it,” said Rodriguez. JetBlue Airlines donated a flight to Puerto Rico to Velasquez, who delivered the wheelchair to her grandchild.

ATG Rehab President and CEO Paul Bergantino presents a customized wheelchair to the grandparents of Edil Garcia Rivera. Edil’s grandmother, Guadalupe Velasquez, delivered the chair to her grandson in Puerto Rico, courtesy of JetBlue.

Congressman John Larson and ATG Rehab President and CEO Paul Bergantino, accompanied by staff members of Hartford’s Charter Oak Cultural Center, listen to Charter Oak Cultural Center Executive Director Donna Berman and view photos of Edil Garcia Rivera, recipient of a custom wheelchair from ATG Rehab.