A year is a long time and can make a huge difference in the life of a child. For one Norwalk family, the last year has meant hope, peace, freedom…and a little practice on bicycles to prepare for the Closer to Free Ride.

When you meet Mara Thompson, she is full of spunk, energy and an infectious personality.

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“Her energy is amazing, and I would say she is thriving,” her mom Brittany Thompson said when we asked how she was doing.

Her parents are grateful for the massive gains she has made in the last year. A year ago, she was in an entirely different place.

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“Kind of naïvely we asked if we would be going ho

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