Family raises funds to renovate shower for teen with cerebral palsy

Andrew’s mom said he’s a typical young man who likes sports.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — School is out for the day and the kids have gathered in the living room.

A SpongeBob SquarePants video game is on the television. But the children are tossing balls of all shapes and sizes back and forth, ending a cold winter’s day by laughing, loving and learning.

In the center of the room in a blue plastic chair is Andrew Shasteen, 15, born on a New Year’s Day.

Doctors said Andrew would not live long, but they were wrong.

His mother, Christina Helman, said that Andrew, who has cerebral palsy, is a typical young man.

“He enjoys sports, including Special Olympics bowling, track and Challenger baseball,” Helman said. That’s where special-needs youths take positions but have a buddy to help them make the play, she explained.

Last year he also got involved in a 4-H program. And he’s donated his hair for wigs for people who have lost theirs through radiation treatment.

He likes the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers, and the World Wrestling Federation.

He also goes to school in Salem through classes provided by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center.

Recently he was fitted with an implanted pump that delivers a muscle relaxer and an anti-spastic agent directly to his spine. “Before that, he was mostly in a fetal position,” Helman said.

Shriners in Warren provided a $3,000 “gait trainer” about 18 months ago that supports him when he walks.

The blue plastic chair, which cost $800, also provides proper support and aids in Andrew’s care.

Helman said her son has a girlfriend, a neighbor who cut his hair for the wigs. But Andrew says “no,” not as denial, but as a young man keeping his private life private.

“There’s no limit on his life,” Helman said.

Cindy Morrissey of Lisbon met Andrew when they were both doing water therapy at Salem Community Hospital. Cindy and her husband, Matt, and their children, Mary, 13, Grace, 12, Claire, 11, Margaret, 8, and Matthew, 6, decided as a Christian family to help Helman.

“We saw an opportunity and took it,” said Cindy Morrissey.

Helman and her fiancé plan to buy the Aetna Street home they are renting. They were able to salvage a wooden ramp for Andrew’s wheelchair and install it.

What he needs now is a bigger shower. Helman must pick up her son and tote him to the home’s only tiny and narrow shower for all his hygiene needs.

“I’m very scared I’m going to drop him,” Helman said.

But you will hear no complaining from her.

“I love being Andrew’s mom. It’s not ‘woe is me.’ He’s a happy kid,” she said.

Estimates to enlarge the shower range from $11,800 to $36,000.

Cindy Morrissey said she was moved spiritually to help raise funds for the remodeling. About $1,700 has been collected.

She and her children recently stopped at some 45 businesses between Salem and Boardman, seeking contributions or items that could be raffled. They received some coffee coupons and a private donation of $25.

Still, Morrissey said, “We met a lot of nice people this way.”

Morrissey said she hopes her children, who were tossing balls with Andrew, learn from the experience.

“I hope they understand we need to give, and in giving we receive,” Morrissey said.

DONATIONS

Donations to help remodel a bathroom for Andrew Shasteen of Salem, who has cerebral palsy, can be made at any Huntington Bank. Funds should be earmarked for Andrew’s Bathroom Fund.

The Chuck E. Cheese on U.S. Route 224 in Boardman will donate some proceeds to help the fund from 3 to 9 p.m. Valentine’s Day. Customers must mention Andrew’s fund, and the shop will donate 15 percent of those sales to the fund.

wilkinson@vindy.com