A little boy with cerebral palsy won over the heart of an Everyday Hero.
Jennifer Roberts works as a server at Irish 31 in Westchase. Roberts was touched by the story of Neiko Henson. Neiko’s mom, Courtney Henson, said the 4-year-old is a special child.
“He was born with cerebral palsy. We’re trying to help him raise money for his dog to become a service dog,” Courtney Henson said.
Neiko suffered a stroke and brain damage when he was five weeks old. He faces the possibility of heart surgery, and the family is hoping to raise funds so their dog Molly can be trained.
“She will have equipment that’s hooked onto her back. She will help him with balance,” Courtney Henson said. “Neiko can’t get around. His balance is very poor. He’s blind in his right eye. So she’s going to be his guide.”
That’s where Roberts stepped in. She and the rest of the team at Irish 31 started a fundraiser to help pay for the training costs. Roberts tells customers at the restaurant Neiko’s story in the hope they will want to contribute to Molly’s training.
Clarke Inghram owns Inghram’s Sit and Stay Dog Academy and has offered to train Molly at a reduced price. Inghram said Molly should be easy to train.
“She’s going to be Neiko’s support. The thing that really moves me was the kids. The kids always move me,” Inghram said. “Molly’s very intelligent. Well bred. It shouldn’t be a big loop to do this.”