When Leejona Hernandez was smaller, she adored playing in the ocean.

Her mother would scoop Hernandez up from her wheelchair and hold her up in the waves, letting her giggle and splash in weightlessness.

These days, though, Hernandez is too big to be lifted and stabilized in the water. The 23-year-old suffers from cerebral palsy, which has confined her to a wheelchair and left her without the ability to speak well or take care of herself.

More than anything else, she wants to go back in the water, her mother said.

And a big, sturdy beach chair might just help her with that goal.

"If I had a low beach chair, I could put her on the chair with me and let the water splash on her legs," said her mother. "She loves the water."

In addition to a beach chair, Hernandez's mother, who requested not to be identified in this story, is asking for high-top sneakers for her daughter, who sometimes hurts her ankle on her wheelchair footrests.

WHOLE FAMILY STRUGGLING

She would also welcome clothing for Hernandez and her two other adult children, ages 20 and 18. Hernandez wears size 6 pants and small shirts, while her 20-year-old sister wears size 8 pants and large shirts. Hernandez's 18-year-old brother wears size 30 pants and medium shirts. Their mother, who is 52, wears a size 42 pants and asks for extra-large shirts.

The Wai'anae family gets by on about $1,500 a month, which just barely covers rent, utilities and supplies for Hernandez's 24-hour care and hygiene needs.

Her mother had to quit work when Hernandez was a kid. Hernandez was constantly getting sick and often needed hospitalization. The devoted mom still provides full-time care to her daughter, and wouldn't have it any other way.

During the day, she tries to engage her daughter in activities. The two sometimes take the bus to town for get-togethers with friends. And they would love to get out more.

"My family and I would have more opportunity to attend some sort of community gatherings ... with presentable clothing," she said.

On quiet days, Hernandez and her mom sit together and listen to music. Hernandez loves oldies and Hawaiian music, her mother said.

Some nights, the two head to Poka'i Bay to watch the waves. The mother says when she asks her daughter if she'd like to go in the water, if she could, Hernandez almost always says yes.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.