In Canada, a mother's search for a wheelchair-accessible home has inspired an extraordinary wave of kindness from her community.
For 10-year-old Halena Hovey, moving freely around her own home has become increasingly difficult.
Halena, affectionately known as Hal, lives in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and has Friedreich's ataxia, a progressive condition affecting movement and coordination.
Her wheelchair is wider than some doorways in the family's mobile home, making everyday activities challenging.
After her mother, Jessi, exhausted available funding options, she turned to her community for help.
Neighbors, contractors, and local businesses responded, launching a fundraising effort called Hal's Heroes.
The St. Stephen County Moose hockey team joined the cause, organizing a special game attended by more than 1,000 people. Hal even dropped the ceremonial puck.
By October 22, the community had raised nearly $40,000 toward the renovations, and preliminary work had begun.
What started as one mother's request became a town-wide effort to help her daughter remain safely at home.
