Success Story
- Brianna Massengale
was diagnosed with leukemia. She began
treatments the following month and subsequently
lost much of her strength as a result of the
chemotherapy treatments. Through Goodwill
HELPs, a program that provides free durable
medical equipment to people in Southeast
Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, Brianna
received a free wheelchair that helped her maintain her mobility while she recuperated.
Brianna was invited to come to the HELPs workshop and choose her own wheelchair. While waiting for some minor repairs to her new purple chair, she met with Dennis Brice, Chattanooga Goodwill Industries’ President and CEO. “I get to meet the president!” she exclaimed.
Even through the grueling pain, her parents said she has kept a positive attitude. When Brianna was asked about losing her hair, she smiled and said, “It’s okay! My sisters can’t pull it now.” Her father even shaved his head to show support for his daughter and help her with the transition.
Like most other girls her age, she loves Barbie dolls and puzzles. When Brianna is feeling especially well, she enjoys playing with her puppies and riding her horse, Toshia.