Family of sick Sussex boy needs van to transport child

SUSSEX — A simple click could help a Sussex family get a special needs van to transport their son, Logan.

As part of National Mobility Awarness Month in May, National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is offering a free mobility van to the person with the most votes. Locals can vote daily between now and May 9.

Logan Breitenbach is six years old and has Cortical Dysplasia. He is the only contestant from Northern New Jersey in the contest.

"He was born with smooth spots on his brain and they shouldn't be there," explained his mother, Amy Breitenbach.

Signals sent through the neurons in these areas misfire.

The condition is associated with seizures which Logan has had since he was in his mother's uterus.

"It's a tough life to lead knowing that it's a matter of when not if you will be going to the hospital, but it's also so rewarding to see Logan make improvements," Amy said.

She works as a teacher and her husband, Christopher, finds work around taking care of Logan.

Logan needs a full-time nurse with him as he attends kindergarten at Walnut Ridge in Vernon, visits doctors' and goes through life. Going anywhere is at least a two hour procedure to get him ready.

A few years ago, the family was fortunate enough to acquire a used, special needs van to transport Logan. It's now on its last leg, there's a door missing and the couple has had to apply a number of mechanical band aids.

Through this online contest, the Breitenbach family could win a new van, but they need the community's help. They need people to log on and vote daily for Logan to receive the van.

"This is a contest for people who need a mobility vehicle, like Logan, to win one of four that are available," said Amy.

People are allowed to go online and vote once a day using an email address, and at the end of the contest, the people with the top 10 amount of votes will then be considered to win one of four vehicles that are available.

"We know that he needs the votes to get into the top 10 and the competition is really stiff so far. Once he is in the top 10, it is out of our hands, but he won't have a chance at all unless he gets there, which is why we need the word spread and for people to go and vote every day leading up to the contest," said Hilary Beirne, a friend of the Breitenbach family.

To vote visit www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/logan-breitenbach-sussex-nj.