Meet Ana: The Life-Changing Power of Adaptive Equipment

Can you imagine having to rely entirely on someone else to lift you in and out of a stroller or vehicle just to get around? This was 14-year-old Ana Ramirez’s reality—until the possibility of self-controlled mobility entered her life through Be An Angel.

Ana has Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary twisting and repetitive movements. She is unable to walk or talk. Her parents, Mario and Monica, along with her brother, Alex, have spent years lifting Ana in and out of a stroller to help her move throughout daily life.

Because of her condition and the constant, involuntary movements, Ana couldn’t operate a traditional joystick-controlled wheelchair. But Be An Angel stepped in with a solution: a specialized wheelchair that Ana can control entirely with head movements. Now, this bright and determined 8th grader can move independently—navigating her home, her school, and even accessing a converted van also provided by generous Be An Angel donors.

Ana’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when barriers are removed and breakthroughs take their place. Through compassion and the right support, lives like Ana’s are forever changed.