Make-A-Wish converts van for handicapped child

Mercy may often be bestowed with a small gesture, but sometimes it takes a lot more.

That's where the Make-A-Wish Foundation came in with a Cape Girardeau family's need for a handicapped accessible van for a 5-year-old girl with a traumatic brain injury.

Hurt in a head-on collision at Independence Street and Mount Auburn Road in June 2010, Emelia Eakins was treated in two St. Louis hospitals until January the next year, and her mother, Tanure Wagner, needed the van to transport her more easily.

But the $18,000 cost to convert Wagner's Dodge Grand Caravan took 18 months for the St. Louis-based Make-A-Wish Foundation to approve.

The project reached the celebratory stage at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at United Access at 753 S. Kingshighway St., where Emelia's mom, brothers, 7-year-old Gavin and 8-year-old Tristan; and her grandmother, Bonnie Wagner of St. Louis, joined UA and foundation officials for punch and a cake with the girl's photo and "Best Wishes, Emelia" on it.

Accompanied by local foundation volunteer Tonia Love, volunteer Mary Hiler said it was one of the most expensive wishes granted in this area.

Hiler said the request had been made by Dr. David Boardman, Emelia's pediatrician.

Bonnie Wagner said Gavin also suffered a head injury, but it was much less serious than his sister's. Their mother, the driver, was unhurt. Tristan was not in the wreck. The children's father is Eric Eakins of Cape Girardeau.

"Tanure had a very small car," Wagner said, noting the family had bought the van for the conversion, which took six weeks.

"Emelia was 3 1/2 when the accident happened, and she will be 6 next month," her grandmother said. "She can't walk or speak, but she does smile sometimes. We keep praying."

United Access Regional Manager Rich Venhaus said the conversion was a complex task that involved moving the van's electrical and fuel lines so a hydraulic lift could be installed in the back and facilitate the entrances and exits of Emelia's wheelchair.

Venhaus said store manager Mike van Oordt and mobile specialist Stephen Kinstler also were involved.

Pertinent address: 753 S. Kingshighway St., Cape Girardeau, MO