Young boy’s idea prompts a new non-profit

Elijah Rutherford was 20 months old when he was diagnosed with a stroke in utero. As he grew up he became cognizant of the limited awareness for his condition and at just seven years old, his idea to share teddy bears with other child stroke victims was the starting point for a non-profit – The Traveling Awareness Bears.

The Traveling Awareness Bears started in November 2010 with two teddies that Elijah named Pat and Patricia. According to Jennifer Rutherford, Elijah’s mother, Pat and Patricia each had a stroke and wear a brace, just like Elijah. The brace helps them control right-sided weakness caused by cerebral palsy, a side effect from the stroke.

Pat and Patricia each visit children who have had pediatric strokes and spend one to two weeks with each family. During the visit, children write in a journal and share favorite memories about their adventures with the bears.

Pat and Patricia were so popular that Jennifer decided to expand the concept and now teddy bears representing multiple conditions visit hundreds of families each year. “[The bears] all have stories and are all based on real children so they can relate to the kids,” she said.

To date, there are 60 bears representing 30 conditions that visit children nationally and internationally. They help children brave up-coming surgeries, remind them they are not alone and teach them to feel comfortable wearing medical devices like hearing aids, blood sugar monitors and more.

Ben Cernese, a member of the Temple B’nai Torah Brotherhood, learned about the traveling bears from a close friend and suggested the Brotherhood host a fundraiser. The idea was unanimously approved and this Sunday, Jennifer and Elijah will travel to the temple with a few bears to help create awareness and raise money for the free service they provide.

Families do not have to pay for a personal visit from a Traveling Awareness Bear. However, Jennifer said funds are needed to purchase more bears, make them medically accurate and mail them around the world. “We rely a lot on donations,” she said, “[and] a little bit of money goes a very long way for us. It’s just that little things add up.”

The Brotherhood will host its first annual trivia night fundraiser for the Traveling Awareness Bears at Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., Wantagh, on July 21 at 7 p.m. The cost to participate is $20. For more information, call the temple at (516) 221-2370. Families who are interested in a visit from a Traveling Bear, go to www.travelingawarenessbears.org.