Wheels of Fortune

Variety helps a young man stay on track

Earlier last year Theo Frescon was going to quit school. Debilitated to a degree with Cerebral Palsy, the 16-year-old said it was "getting too hard".

By that he meant getting around with a wheelchair that was only intended for indoor use, and he had difficulty keeping up with his schoolwork. But now things have changed. Thanks to Variety Queensland, the Laptop Man and Scope, Theo is sporting brand new "outdoor" wheels, a special backpack and a laptop computer.

And yes, now he's staying at school to complete his senior year in 2005. Presentation of the wheelchair was held at the Sarina Bicentennial Hall last December where Theo's commitment and involvement in the community, particularly the Sarina Shire Youth Centre was commended by Sarina Mayor Kevin Morgan and outgoing chairman of Variety Queensland Bill Cooper.

The happy-go-lucky teen has been a member of the youth council since its inception in 2000. With the one-on-one teaching organised by the youth centre, a computer to assist with homework assignments and resources and a "go anywhere" wheelchair, Theo's life "has just got much easier".

"The new chair is capable of handling what I go through on a daily basis," Theo said. "I was having trouble getting the other chair around the school and to classes properly and travelling from home to the youth centre - they don't hold together very well. "…. and now I can work on the laptop with my mum and keep up with my schoolwork."