Meet Raynel Granell!

American Mountain will Build A Bike for Raynel.  American Mountain is an up-and-coming outdoor lifestyle boutique based in Vinings, Georgia. They are locally owned, and have a friendly, knowledgeable staff of outdoor enthusiasts who specialize in preparing customers for their next expeditions. American Mountain and its staff are committed to having a positive impact not only on the great outdoors, but also in the community.

American Mountain will build a bike for Raynel Granell Lopez

I was born on November 24, 2004 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  My mom’s name is Lenis, my dad’s name is Raymond. My favorite hobbies were: skip and jump on and my brother’s name is Raymond Deydre.

When I was 3 years old I began preschool, learning a lot of things in English and Spanish.  I am a very loving boy, intelligent, active and everybody says I’m super nice!

The trampoline, play with my dog, being in the swing, play basketball, coloring and others.

Most of all I loved to ride my bike around the neighborhood.  I had just learned to ride without training wheels!   I would ride around and visit my neighbors on my bike and they became very glad to see me and gave me juice and candies! On November 24, 2008 I turned 4 years old, and I had already begun my pre-kindergarten!  My family and I were very happy! 

On December 13, I woke up early in the morning with severe ear pain, and I went to my parent’s room.  I told mom I hurt.  My dad took me to the doctor and he prescribed some drops for the ear.  I felt better in the afternoon, and evening.  The next day, I felt worse, began vomiting and had a fever.  My parents took me to the emergency room.   The doctors rushed me in an ambulance to a regional hospital in other area.  While I was in the emergency room, my fever became worse and I began having seizures.  The doctors immediately sent me to the intensive care unit.
On December 16, I moved to an even better hospital in the metropolitan area in Puerto Rico.   There I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and I was hospitalized in critical condition.  I was put on a ventilator because my lungs were weak.  After several tests the doctors found that fluid had accumulated in my head and sent me to another emergency room in other hospital in Puerto Rico for an emergency surgery.  

They put a “shunt valve” in my head for hydrocephalus and I was in the intensive care unit in a coma.  I had tracheotomy and a gastrostomy.  After having spent one month in intensive care I was sent to another hospital floor for two more months.  Thank God I was released in March 2009!

The concern of my parents is that I receive the best therapies for my rehabilitation.  My mom  left all in Puerto Rico and moved with me to Atlanta, GA. in April 2009.

We arrived at children’s health care of Atlanta and I have received there intensive occupational, physical and language therapies.  Right now I receive outpatient therapies three times a week. Thank god I improved a lot, because when I arrived to Atlanta I only opened my eyes, had much spasticity in my body and many involuntary movements.  Now I have been able to get rid of the tracheotomy and g-tube, and I can eat alone!

In Atlanta I was diagnosed with severe bilateral hearing loss, and three months ago I had another surgery for a cochlear implant. 

I am still in Atlanta with my mom.  She lost her work in Puerto Rico and we are pray to god for allowing my daddy to find work here so he can come to live with us, and bring my little brother!  My parents decided move into Atlanta for me, so I can get better special education.
I cannot speak yet, but I’m doing more sounds with my mouth.  I’m still in wheelchair because my little legs are weak, but the therapist starting to help me stand up! 

I love when they used the bike for my therapies and I cry when I have to leave the bike!  I hope to someday have an adaptive bike of my own to be able to continue practicing at my house with my mom.  A bike would help me to further strengthen my legs for walking!

I would be very happy if I could get a bike as my birthday gift or as a Christmas gift!  Thank you for the opportunity! 

With much love,
Raynel

Donate to Raynel’s campaign:

You can also mail your check to:
My First Bike
185 Shelli Lane
Roswell, GA 30075