Jarissa Hernandez was filled with hope as her 6-year-old son, King Blue, was struck by an SUV on his way home from school right before Thanksgiving. She was astonished by the outpouring of support that followed when King's story became public. King endured a broken pelvis, a serious injury that usually takes two to three months to heal. Hernandez was in search of a wheelchair-accessible ramp to assist the first-grader during his recovery.

Generosity Beyond Expectation

Thanks to the kindness of Asbury Park Press readers, the family received not only a ramp but also more. Donors contributed $9,000, allowing Hernandez, who had to take leave from her job as a ShopRite cashier, to stay home and care for King full-time. "There are so many good people," Hernandez said. "I'm amazed at how many people reached out. I just wasn't expecting that. I was just like wow — wow!"

Tuesday's Joyful Moment

On Tuesday, as Hernandez wheeled King down the 21-foot aluminum ramp installed by a Toms River contractor in the garage of their Asbury Park home, she was on the verge of tears. "With not working and Christmas coming, (the donations) really made Christmas happen for them," she said of her children. "It was truly a blessing and I am really so grateful for everyone. There are so many good people in the world and I really did not think that. So many people reached out and called."

Donated Ramps and Custom Fit

A dozen Asbury Park Press readers offered to donate ramps they no longer used. However, a custom-sized ramp was needed to fit the home. Abby Lifts Inc. came to the family's aid. The Toms River-based company installed the ramp free of charge in mid-December and will disassemble it when King no longer needs it, likely in February or March. "It was great to help them out; we were happy to do it," said Terry Quinlisk, vice president of Abby Lifts. "We always will help whenever we can."

Motorized Wheelchair and Easier Life

Terry co-founded Abby Lifts with her husband Jim in 2001. They recently donated a stair lift to a firefighter in Jackson. An employee, Ed Mercado, spotted King's story and forwarded it to Terry and Jim. Mercado installed the ramp through the garage, providing easier access than the steep front porch. "Before that, I was carrying him in," said King's father, Randy Blue. The family also purchased a bedside commode and shower chair with the donated money, making life much easier.

Pediatric Trauma Care and Healing

Hernandez expressed gratitude to Jersey Shore University Medical Center's pediatric trauma care unit for taking care of King so well. King needs physical therapy in mid-to-late January and hopes to return to school before winter ends. "He wants to get up and go now, but he can't," Hernandez said. "He is loving this ramp, though. He keeps asking, 'Can we roll down and roll back up?'"Jerry Carino is the community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore's interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.