Hartland Boy Selected for Community Fundraiser

Popping himself back to balance and spin on two wheels, CJ Meckes raises his eyebrows, glancing around the room to check and see if everyone is watching as he shows off one of his favorite wheelchair tricks.

With his charming smile and big blue eyes, CJ, although born with Spina Bifida, is just like any other engaging and active little boy who likes to tell stories about being star of the week at school and bragging about his latest injuries. 

“I fell off the curb and hit my head,” the soon-to-be first grader at Creekside Elementary said with a small grimace.

Shaking his own head across the table, CJ’s dad, Carl explains that his son is still learning how to maneuver down curbs. 

“He’s fearless,” the proud dad said with a smile. “Sometimes he makes us nervous.” 

One of six children in his family and also a twin, CJ’s parents are determined, however, to let their youngest son explore that fearless side and say they refuse to let him feel anything but normal.

“One of the rules we have is he does not say I can’t,” mother Gina said. “He may have to try to do it a different way and we may tweek it a little bit, but making him feel the same is the most important.”

Being treated the same as his siblings means chores, increasing independence and even the opportunity to play sports. All of which, in CJ's case, takes a little extra effort and added expenses such as a specialized chair just for basketball.

"It's important to let him do stuff like that," Gina Meckes said. "And I don't want him to not get a chance to play sports because of financial reasons."

To help pay for some of those extra costs, the Meckes family was chosen to be the recipients of Kahuna Coffee's Fourth Annual Charity Cruise-In Car Show. The event will take place on August 20 with all registration proceeds and a portion of the event's proceeds going towards the family. 

It was a surprise and a blessing, according to Gina Meckes, to be selected by the community and says the money will go towards taking care of CJ’s necessities. 

The family is also hoping to finally pay for some home improvement projects to help provide a barrier free environment for their son. First on their list will be installing a ramp leading into their Hartland home.

For six years, CJ's family has been carrying their young son and his wheelchair up a flight of stairs to get him inside, something that is becoming increasingly difficult and more dangerous the bigger and heavier CJ gets.

“And when it comes to her (Gina) being there by herself, it’s hard,” Carl Meckes said.

Still, watching their son grow bigger and stronger each day is a blessing for the Meckes who say that whatever limitations CJ's body may have, he makes up for it with his spirit.

"That’s a lot of the reason why we make sure he’s not going to be treated differently," Carl Meckes said. "We want him to know its OK to have fun-- don’t hide behind yourself because someone teased you. 

"He’s a really strong kid," he said.

Interested participants can register for the car show at Kahuna Coffee. There is a $5 minimum registration fee and all classic, custom and race car owners are welcome. Donations are also welcome.