Gideon Update:
Gideon had a TIA (minor stroke) on 2/18/2021. Upon getting up in the morning he had double vision, then slurred speech, and could not speak, and the left side of his face drooped all in the span of 20 minutes he was taken via ambulance to Stormont Vail. Was given stroke protocol and a CT scan. CT scan showed nothing. The following day Gideon was taken to Children's Mercy in Kansas City and got a MRI and an ECHO. Both showed normal (for a HLHS patient). His Cardiologist Dr Kaine suspects the TIA may be due to a heart event, so he is getting a 24 hour heart monitor.
Car search update:
Really good deals on classic cars can be found in our price range. As an example just yesterday we found a running 1972 Plymouth Duster just 20 miles away with a 340 and a four on the floor for just $8,000. The previous weekend in Kansas City a running 1967 Mustang with a three speed manual and a 289 small block sold for less than $7,000. Both sold within hours, key here is to be watching, to act fast, and have cash in hand.
Another idea we have is getting a 1980’s Porsche 944. They can be had cheap enough leaving cash left over to get a car port. They are fuel injected, 50/50 front to rear balancing, available with rear disks, good gas mileage, rear defrost and wiper, seat 4, superior handling, AC, and pop up headlights.
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Gideon's Make a Wish car project:
We are so thankful as a family for all the prayers and support I received when I struggled for life. Make a Wish has granted me the wish of restoring a classic car.
My name is Gideon Eklund and I am 17 years old. I am a “million dollar baby and a miracle.”
My wish is to restore an old car. Make a Wish will allow me to work with professionals to restore body work and the interior of my car. They will do tires and wheels. They will restore chrome and paint the vehicle, even do a sound system. However, we need to supply the car and it has to be mechanically sound because they are not able to do mechanical work.
I was born with a heart defect called, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, HLHS. I’ve had three open heart surgeries and had a feeding tube for my first five years. Now, I live a very normal life, only take three medications and see the cardiologist once a year for testing. In the future, I may need more work on my heart but for now everything looks good. I really don’t have limitations other than running, which can be a bit difficult and very hot and very cold weather make me worn out.
Hanging out with my friends and playing video games is one of my favorite things to do. I spend time working on cars with my Dad and we talk a lot about cars and look at classic cars together. My family likes to go to car shows. I also play the banjo and want to learn to play the guitar. I am studying machining at Washburn Tech and really like learning to be a machinist.
I'm really interested in classic cars, 1950s - 1980s. Our hope is that friends and family can contribute whatever they want and we will be able to purchase a sound car. This is going to be fantastic!!
