MICHAEL Derosa was once an avid football player, playing for the Waroona Demons Football Club up until he was 38.
It was an old football injury which masked the first signs of Mr Derosa’s multiple sclerosis (MS) and he started to go downhill at 39.
More than a decade later, he now relies on his wheelchairs and the little things which most take for granted are a daily struggle.
He relies heavily on his wife Memma particularly when he travels anywhere.
“Some days it’s easy and some days it’s hard,” Mrs Derosa said.
“I have to lift him by his shorts to help him into the car.
“In the colder weather he stiffens up and in the summer he just melts in the heat so those days are hard.”
That’s when The Dancing Daffodils Committee stepped in.
Having heard about Mr Derosa’s situation, the committee has decided to raise money for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, as the more than $60,000 vehicle was never a financial option.
“Originally I didn’t want them to go to all the effort,” Mr Derosa said.
“We’ve had a lot of people come to help us since I was diagnosed and we’re very grateful.
“But [this time] it seemed like too much.”
“He’s a proud man and didn’t want any handouts,” Mrs Derosa added.
The Dancing Daffodil Committee plans on hosting a fundraising event on October 18 to raise money for the Derosa family with the help of Italian comedian Joe Avati.
“The Dancing Daffodil Committee wanted to relieve some of the financial pressure,” a Dancing Daffodil Committee spokesperson said.
But to get the project off the ground requires both major and minor sponsors to either donate money or giveaways/prizes for the event.
For more information call 0438 331 891 or email paulamag no5@gmail.com