VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — A little Valdosta girl received a special trike custom-built in Europe from the Make-A-Wish Foundation Friday at Dewar Elementary.
Surrounded by classmates, siblings, friends and teacher Kelsey Case, Mackenzie Lockhart smiled as she was placed in the trike. One of the 6-year-old triplets of Mitch and Shaun Lockhart, Mackenzie has Lennox-Gastau Syndrome, a severe pediatric form of epilepsy, as well as Cerebral Palsy.
“Her siblings (the other two of my 6-year-old triplets) Megan and Jack, as well as my 8-year-old Wayne, chose her gift,” mom Shaun Lockhart said. “They were adamant that she have some way to ride their bikes with her this spring and summer.
“We as a family had been looking at a ‘Hase Trets Custom Trike’ that is actually made in Europe and can be converted easily to a cart or jogging stroller for Mackenzie. The children put in their request to Make A Wish, and it has come true.
“We are so grateful as this gift has taken a great deal of work by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ann Clark Bailey (her Make-a-Wish coordinator), the local Make-a-Wish volunteers ... as well as Mr. Terry Hoppy Dean, who is a bike store owner in California, whom we have never met, who stepped in and helped to bring this all to fruition,” Shaun said.
The bike was built mostly in Europe by the Hase company in order to expedite its arrival and delivery to the Valdosta Bike Store, which completed the build and assisted with its delivery to the school Friday morning.
“I don’t think I will ever be able to thank all of these individuals enough, but I know that when Mackenzie is feeling the wind and sun on her face, that all will be OK,” her mom said. “We are so blessed to have had four beautiful children and to have been blessed by Mackenzie’s love, smile, and laughter for as long as we are meant to have her.
“A mother and father could never have asked for more.”
Shaun said Mackenzie had been doing “extremely well” up until 10 weeks ago when she developed a severe progression of her seizures.
“She has now been to Macon and received a peg tube for giving medications and nutrition when needed. During this process, she has also been placed on Hospice. Mackenzie has spent the last week in the Langdale Hospice House requiring IV medications, but was able to be discharged home in time for Easter with her family.”
The siblings’ love for their sister is very evident.
“Jack’s my artist who often draws her in her wheelchair and plays games with Mackenzie. He often rolls the ball to her or reads to her, or watches movies with her,” Shaun said. “Megan helps do a little bit of everything with her, including reading to her at night or laying with her in her bed watching TV at night. She often helps with her bath.
“Wayne does it all. When no one can calm her troubles and tears, it is this one who has always come to her rescue. He said he would always be the one who would take her to the prom.”
“She is such a big part of their lives, and they are better for it. They are so protective of both special needs adults and children, and are all so patient with them, thanks to Mackenzie. Everyone says ‘they are the most loving children they have ever met.’
“Mackenzie has blessed us.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo by Elizabeth Butler | The Valdosta Daily Times Mackenzie Lockhart, one of 6-year-old triplets, sits in the trike custom-built in Europe that she received from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is surrounded by her sibling triplets, Jack and Megan, and 8-year-old brother Wayne.
-
Photo by Elizabeth Butler | The Valdosta Daily Times Dewar Elementary teacher Kelsey Case shares a sweet moment with 6-year-old Mackenzie Lockhart.
Discussion
Valdostan given special gift
- Local News
-
-
VDT Weekend Update
News Reporter Caitlin Barker speaks to Bernard Bulemu and Eric Mathis, representatives from the South Georgia Regional Library about their summer programs for kids, teens and adults during the month of June, as well as lists fun summer camps taking place in the Valdosta area.
-
Troopers prepare for Memorial Day traffic
Georgia State troopers are preparing for patrols during the peak travel times this coming holiday weekend.
-
Blaze damages cars, blocks I-75
A tractor-trailer transporting automobiles northbound on Interstate 75 Thursday morning caught fire just north of exit 5 in Lake Park.
-
VECA recognized at VSU
Rising juniors from the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA) were recognized at Valdosta State University Wednesday night as the first group of students to begin earning college credit while still in high school.
-
Businesses raise funds for Oklahoma disaster
By now, we’ve all heard about the tragedy in Moore, Okla., a mile-wide, F5 tornado with winds of more than 200 miles per hour carved through 17 miles over a span of 50 minutes on Monday afternoon.
-
Southwestern State Hospital to close
One of Thomas County’s largest employers — at more than 700 people — and a longtime regional state mental hospital will close Dec. 31.
-
Search for survivors continues
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
-
Curator offers arts a helping hand
If you’ve been to the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts in the past four years, you have seen the quiet art of Bill Shenton.
-
Albino gators visit Wild Adventures
Two rare albino American alligators have joined the other gators at Wild Adventures for the summer.
-
Officers wound man in shootout
A Lanier County man was wounded Saturday during an exchange of gunfire with lawmen, according to a Lanier County Sheriff’s Office press release.
- More Local News Headlines
-
