Community to Raise Funds to Provide Quadriplegic Girl with Wheelchair Accessible Van

PHOTO: Boy Scout Troop 90 presented Frank Boschma with his new ‘track’ mobility chair at the 2014 Frank the Tank Tournament.

The following is a news release from the Promenade Temecula:

Jeff Kurtz, General Manager of Promenade Temecula and Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac of Temecula, along with Boy Scout Troop 90 will host the second annual ‘Frank the Tank’ golf tournament to raise funds to give local resident, Marlayna Diaz, a more reliable ride.

The event will be held at Pala Mesa Golf Course on Saturday, February 28, beginning at 12:30 pm.

“It is my honor to help Frank Boschma and Boy Scout Troop 90 plan this golf tournament. Our day of play will raise funds to purchase Marlayna a reliable, specially equipped van that will allow her to continue to make the most of her life, despite her physical limitations,” remarks Kurtz. “Marlayna is an inspiration to me. Seeing her cheerfulness and optimism reminds me that despite the roadblocks put in front of us, there are people surrounding all of us that will lend a hand to lift you over life’s barriers. ”

The ‘Frank the Tank’ Golf Tournament is now open for registration to anyone who would like to join Jeff Kurtz, Frank Boschma and Troop 90 in their efforts to help Marlayna. At a cost of $100 per person or $400 per foursome, participants will enjoy a day of golf at the beautiful Pala Mesa Golf Club while helping an amazing young woman build a better, more meaningful life for herself.

Registration is at 11:00am on Saturday, February 28, with a 12:30am shot gun start. Those who wish to reserve their space early can email their reservation request to Frankthetankpayitforward@gmail.com.

About ‘Frank the Tank’ Golf Tournament:

In March of 2014, a group of community leaders came together committed to help Frank “The Tank” Boschma, a man who suffers from X -linked SMA, Arthrogryposis or SMA type 2, improve his quality of life by raising funds to provide him a TRACK mobility chair. This act of unselfish concern changed the way Frank was able to interact with the world around him and has given him new worlds to explore, despite being confined to a chair without the ability to move or breathe on his own.

Now Frank hopes to pay it forward, by working with the same core of community leaders to host an encore ‘Frank the Tank’ to raise funds that will be used to assist another young quadriplegic Marlayna, by providing her funding for the specially equipped transportation she needs.

About Marlayna Diaz:

When Marlayna Diaz was just six years old, her family’s Honda was hit by a drunk driver traveling more than 90-miles per hour. As a result of the crash, Marlayna lost her ability to move her body and breathe on her own, and was left a quadriplegic and ventilator dependent. Tragically, Marlayna’s mother died in the collision, leaving behind Marlayna’s father to raise Marlayna and her sister.

Since 1996, Marlayna’s father Ben Diaz has been both mother and father to Marlayna, meeting her daily needs while struggling to work and raise his family. With the help of extended family including grandparents, Marlayna survived. In and out of hospitals, Marlayna overcame various illnesses, always attributing her strength to knowing that her father needed her as much as she needed him.

As Marlayna grew, the care and special needs of this sweet young woman have grown as well. Marlayna has met her challenges with cheerfulness and perseverance. She graduated from Colton High School in 2009 alongside non-disabled peers, and is working to become a Web Designer.

Her goal to live as normal of a life as possible continues to challenge this family, due to the overwhelming special needs of a quadriplegic. She has learned to control a computer through a secondhand computer and “blow” technology software. But her transportation is unreliable and she requires specially equipped van modifications for her to be able to join her family on any outings or excursions outside of her home. These limitations are especially frustrating to Marlayna as she tries to continue her education.

Marlayna currently lives in Redlands.