Essex Tech Sophomore Gets Her Chance To Compete In WCMX With Special Wheelchair Grant

DANVERS, MA — Brooke Sargent receive quite a surprise at school late last month when the Essex Tech sophomore from Hamilton, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, was presented with a $1,000 grant to help her purchase a specialty wheelchair designed for sports.

The grant from Handi Capable Fitness will allow the teen to continue her active lifestyle through participation in Wheelchair Motor Cross — a form of skateboarding for wheelchair users.

Sargent studies dental assisting at Essex Tech.

"I am so excited to have the opportunity to play a sport and have a custom chair for it," Sargent said. "I can also use the wheelchair for everyday mobility."

Sargent has remained active through her diagnosis by participating in sled hockey, stand-up hockey, swimming, surfing, biking, soccer, tennis, basketball, running, lacrosse and baseball.

When she became aware of the wheelchair motor cross she began raising money to buy the special wheelchair necessary to compete.

"Delmace Mayo and Catherine Faherty are some of my best friends from sled hockey and have inspired me so much to play sports and want to try WCMX," Sargent said. "I am going to be able to stay more active and involved while doing WCMX, since playing some typical sports can be hard for me to do."

The school said she was able to get some funding through community support and that her mother, Denise, helped her apply for the Handi Capable Fitness grant to supplement the rest.

Norris and the school presented the sophomore with the grant check during a surprise ceremony on March 23 in the dental assisting program classroom area.

"We were amazed by Brooke's drive and guts to participate in WCMX," Handi Capable Fitness founder James Norris said. "When we met her and her family, we knew that this was what our grant was designed for.

"We believe in Brooke and are so happy to have been a part of her journey."

The $1,000 grant will allow Sargent to purchase the wheelchair that can be used for WCMX and everyday use.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)