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Girl Gets Her Wish, Is Ready To Ride

Dream Factory of Florida

Ashton Spitler, seated, and her mother, Kelly, admire the specially-made handcycle presented to Ashton by the Dream Factory of Florida on July 1. Spitler suffers from spina bifida and dreamed of being able to ride a bicycle. She will be able to pedal her new gift by using her arms.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

WIMAUMA - Sometimes dreams do come true - at least for an 8-year-old girl in South Shore.

For Wimauma's Ashton Spitler that dream was to be able to ride a bicycle.

It's an ability most children take for granted, but seemed completely unattainable for Spitler, who suffers from a spina bifida.

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect where the spine was unable to seal correctly during the first month of pregnancy, causing neural damage and paralysis.

Kelly Spitler - Ashton's mother - said her daughter watched her cousin ride his bicycle up and down the block last summer.

Her chronic condition did not allow the girl to ride a bicycle and, instead, forced her to use a wheelchair. Still, Spitler believed she would be able to a ride a bicycle like her cousin one day.

Fortunately for her, the Dream Factory of Florida was there to provide a big assist.

Established in 1980, the Dream Factory began with an all-volunteer chapter in Hopkinsville, Ky., with the goal of granting the dreams of children ages 3 to 18 with critical or chronic diseases.

The Brandon-based Dream Factory of Florida was established in November 2006 and Spitler's bicycle is the fourth wish the organization has granted since its creation.

"After me met with the Spitlers last summer, we recognized that her dream was something we could help make happen," said Madonna Abruzzese, area coordinator.

The specially made handcycle, which she can pedal with her arms came with a hefty price tag - they estimated the cost to be between $2,500 and $5,000 - so they looked to the community to help raise money for the bike and to increase awareness about spina bifida, which is incurable.

On June 22, the Dream Factory hosted the Rolling Thunder Charity Ride, sponsored by the Huntington Learning Center in Apollo Beach. Motorcyclists rode more than 25 miles, from the learning center to Peggy's Corral off of U.S. 41 in Palmetto.

The Tampa Bay Vette Club in Brandon also hosted its Corvette & Motorcycle Poker Run on June 14 to raise money. Each car paid $20 for one hand of poker, which benefited the Dream Factory's fundraiser for Spitler's bicycle.

Other contributors included the Mom's Club of Lithia, which hosted a bingo night on May 17 at the FishHawk Ranch Aquatic Club, and Leadership Hillsborough, who featured a social fundraiser on May 22 at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City.

Almost a year after meeting with the Dream Factory of Florida, the organization was able to fulfill its promise.

On July 1, Spitler was presented with a brand new pink handcycle after a physical therapy appointment in Brandon.

Abruzzese and other members of the organization also gave Spitler Hannah Montana-themed gifts because she's a big fan of the Miley Cyrus character.

"The Dream Factory has worked hard long and hard to raise awareness and make Ashton's wish come true," said Abruzzese. "Her dream became our dream.

"Fortunately it is no longer a vision, its reality."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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