The RT300 is part of a restorative therapy system that activates various muscle groups and stimulates movement…in laymen terms, it helps get someone’s muscles moving again, i.e. patients who need to relearn basic motor functions such as standing up and walking on their own.  A lot of professionals are recommending this equipment which seems to have a lot of promise…the only catch? ….it is super expensive.  We are talking mid size sedan expensive.

By now some of you know that there is fundraiser on November 3rd on the west end of the beach called “Celebrate the Arts” which will unite a group of local artists from mixed media to jewelry to reclaimed furniture who will donate a portion of their proceeds to Beach Care Services and support activities to raise funds for Aaron Nichols, who is a local resident who needs medical equipment, more specifically the RT300 to help his recovery after a traumatic car accident from 2007.

I went to school with Aaron Nichols and thinking back I can not remember since when but at least since fourth grade at Surfside Middle School.  His father taught music there, he was the band director, who I came to know simply out of proximity or when the choir room next door, my hideout was locked.

Aaron and I, though in many classes together because of  a shared academic path, were not close in school, but many of you that went to Bay High or had children or grandchildren that went to school in the late 90’s did know him.  Perhaps your son played in the band with him or your daughter came home with stories about his funny antics in history class like I did.   My memory fails me as I can not come up with any hysterical anecdotes involving him although I am sure his other classmates have them. I  mostly remember that he made me smile, like when he would insist with every teacher we had, he went by a different nickname, in history class, he was “Lance” like the Backstreet Boys.  He never wasted an opportunity to make a joke.

My question to our readers is…….if Aaron was your son, wouldn’t you want him to get that piece of equipment he needs?

Of course you would. Which is why I implore your help.  As of now, Aaron is about 14,500 short of the funds he needs to cover the entire cost of this equipment.

Local families and churches have done amazing work so far, even helping him set up an online campaign on www.giveforward.com/aaronnichols.  But the campaign expires in a few days and he still needs over 14,000!

That was not acceptable to me.  So we decided that at this year’s Celebrate the Arts, we would have a first ever EVENT T-shirt with all the proceeds going to Aaron.  A few local businesses jumped on board like Cox Pools, Setco Services , Indulgence Salon and Spa, and other private donors to help us get this project going and we appreciate them!

The t-shirt will come in short sleeve, long sleeve and youth sizes with the CTA color splash logo on front and some of the supporting businesses on the back. Prices range from $15 to $25.  You can pick up your shirt at the CTA event on November 3rd (10 am to 4pm) in front of Beachy Beach Real Estate and Cerulean Interiors or you can order via email, via Facebook, or via paypal on www.beachybeach.com/celebratethearts.  If you do order on paypal please specify whether you are making a straight donation or what type shirts you are seeking.

Want to help in other ways?  Celebrate the Arts evolved from a group of people using their talents to help others.  I am sure you have a gift that will help Aaron.

For example, maybe you want to donate a portion of the profits of your goods or services to his cause or maybe you have a printing company and you can help us continue our T-Shirt project? We have the first batch of T-shirts paid for, but we will need to order 4 more sets to reach our goal.

If you do…please share it with us at info@beachybeach.com or with myself Britt@beachybeach.com

Aaron needs $14,500 for his RT300, which is possible if 1000 locals gave $14.50 or if 500 gave $29….well you get the point.  What would you pay to stand up and walk on your own?

We can make this happen with the help of compassionate locals like yourself.

Below is a note from the Nichols family  you will find from the internet giving site that will expire in a few days:

If you’re seeing this you’re probably already aware that Aaron suffered a traumatic brain injury in a 2007 car accident. While he’s made some incredible strides in his ongoing recovery he still needs regular intensive therapy to help him continue moving forward.

Recently his physical therapist suggested we try to purchase a Functional Electrical Stimulation cycle. There are so many benefits this equipment can provide. It will help reduce the tone that keeps him from moving some parts of his body freely. The machine will help build muscle that will help him walk again, as well as improving his circulation, breathing and cognition.

The RT300 works by placing electrodes on his thighs, calves and upper extremities and stimulating those muscles to work. As he pedals he’ll get a good cardio workout and reduce tone in those muscles. This is very different from passive therapies. HIS muscles will be doing the work, not the therapist.

Unfortunately the RT 300 is quite expensive. The basic cost is more than $21,500. The cost of running this fundraiser is an additional 7%.

We have lots of long range goals for Aaron’s ultimate recovery, but our first goal is to get him up and walking again someday soon. We believe the RT300 can be key to achieving this goal. Please help out if you can, and if you can’t, that’s okay, too.

Thanks in advance,

Gary, Marabeth, Phillip, Kristen and Aaron Nichols

We would love to have you come out and support Aaron and Beach Care Services on Saturday, November 3rd for Celebrate the Arts.  But know that it doesn’t end with this event…..we have a RT3oo to buy folks.

Special thanks to the in-kind media partners who have helped us share about Aaron’s needs such as Panama City Radio Group, WMBB-TV, and Channel 7 local news stations.