Cassandra Gantner Foundation – improving the lives of children with disabilites

When you see Zoe whizzing around on her Wizzy Bug, you wouldn’t think such joy could come from another family’s sadness.

Cassandra Gantner was a happy girl with a big smile who lived with complex cerebral palsy. Cassandra was only 18 years old when she passed away. 

In her memory, her parents Carrillo and Nancy established the Cassandra Gantner Foundation to help improve the lives of children with disabilities and health needs. 

For the last two years, the Cassandra Gantner Foundation has generously given philanthropic support to Cerebral Palsy Alliance, enabling young children with disabilities to access new switch-adapted toys and Wizzy Bugs, which give our young clients the chance to experience the joys of independent play and mobility, and build skills for the future. 

Wizzy Bugs are age-appropriate seated mobility aids for children as young as 18 months, providing independent mobilisation and an opportunity to work on spatial awareness in preparation for powered wheelchairs.  

Switch-adapted toys are regular electronic toys that have been modified so they can be operated via an external switch that is easier for a child with disability to use. They provide the opportunity for children with disability to experience and enjoy the delight of play. 

We’re immensely grateful to the Cassandra Gantner Foundation for their generous support, together helping us have positive impacts in the lives of children with disability.  

For Zoe, it means she’s well on her way to achieving her goals.