Firefighters donate new equipment to Buckingham students with special needs

Firetrucks may mean there is an emergency nearby, but that wasn’t the case at the Buckingham Exceptional Student Center Tuesday.

Local firefighters arrived in trucks with a special surprise for children at the center, many of whom live with similar disabilities. But gifts they brought are helping them join in more activities.

“Here, most of our children are in wheelchairs,” Cart said. “A lot of our kids have cerebral palsy, down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries … to see them gathered on nice, new equipment was wonderful.”

Wedges donated by Fort Myers Shore Fire Department are changing the game for kids at the student center.

“I couldn’t have been happier today to see some of the smiles that were on the kids’ faces,” Fire Chief Chris Dowaliby said.

Dowaliby’s department teamed up with the Fort Myers Rotary East Club to give the school 10 new wedges.

“At $405 each … this is what they needed,” Dowaliby said.

Physical Therapist Kimberly Carter said the wedges will benefit student health well being.

“There’s a lot of things they’re beneficial for,” Carter said. “Socialization, muscle strengthening, helps digestion.”

“Not only the physical but socialization aspect too,” Dowaliby said.