Red Bank restaurant owner gives disabled teen surprise custom car

RED BANK - Kaitlin Clutter was born with spina bifida. Her spinal cord had failed to develop properly.

“Doctors told my parents I would never walk,” she said.

She beat the odds, with help from Children’s Specialized Hospital, and for several years the 17-year-old from Manchester has served as an ambassador for the related nonprofit Children’s Miracle Network – telling her story, raising money and offering hope to others facing an uphill climb.

She made such an appearance Monday night at Patrizia’s of Red Bank. Only this one came with a surprise twist. After she spoke, the restaurant’s owner presented her with a gift – the keys to a 2018 Nissan Rogue, specially fitted for her to drive.

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“I came here expecting a great night to raise money for the hospital,” Kaitlin said. “I was shocked and I was speechless and overjoyed. I was crying. I was like, ‘Is this real life?’”

Patrizia’s owner, Lou Maschi, befriended Kaitlin and her parents several years ago after hearing her speak at an IHOP that he owned. Her story inspired him to hold an annual fundraiser for Children’s Specialized Hospital, which has 13 sites across New Jersey (Kaitlin's therapy is based at one in Toms River). He’s raised more than $600,000 all told.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Kaitlin and how she approaches her day, and how that affects the way I approach my day,” Maschi said. “That becomes a true inspiration for me. Let’s face it: We take a lot of things for granted.”

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Kaitlin has endured 21 surgeries. She walks with the help of short leg braces and uses a wheelchair for long distances.

“My life has been filled with many ups and downs, but I always make the best of any situation I’m faced with,” she said. “I’m sure the 21st surgery is not going to be my last one. I’ve had surgeries from head to toe, brain surgery included.”

Yet Kaitlin is tireless in promoting the hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network.

“It’s been amazing to watch her grow,” said Nicole Hudson, director of fundraising and operations for Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation. “She was an adorable little girl when I met her, but she’s always had a confidence, a self-awareness. She’s been able to speak about the hospital better than most adults.”

Kaitlin takes her driver’s test April 11. Her new car enables her to drive with hand controls instead of using her feet.

“There’s a push-pull lever – I push for the brake and I pull for the gas,” she explained. “And I steer with a spinner nob. It’s a wonderful way for people with disabilities to be able to drive.”

The 2018 Nissan Rogue has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $24,800 – sans the aforementioned special features. Maschi said a Red Bank businessman who prefers to remain anonymous purchased the vehicle at cost from a local dealer.

“I knew she was getting her license and I said, 'Let me see if I can get her a car,'” Maschi said. “I spoke to her dad and he said, ‘You can’t do this, it’s too much.’ I said, ‘Listen, can’t is not in my vocabulary. We’re doing it. In fact, it’s already done. What color does she want?’”

The car is black. It came was a giant red bow affixed to the roof.

“Before tonight I thought Lou was the most amazing person on earth, and after he surprised me with the car, that level got raised so much more,” Kaitlin said. “I couldn’t be more thankful and happy.”

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.