Jeffrey Is All Smiles

Jeffrey and his family worked with Phil Schempp at Access Mobility Center in Midland, MI to purchase a Dodge Grand Caravan with an El Dorado Amerivan conversion.  Jeffrey’s grandmother, who also uses a wheelchair, lives with the family and will also enjoy the freedom of accessible transportation.  Below you can read Jeffrey’s letter sharing his story and what an accessible vehicle will mean for him:

This award means a great deal to me and my family.  When I was born two months premature I was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.  I have needed a wheelchair my entire life (along with many other assistive technologies).  My disability has caused many financial hardships for my family but through it all they have encouraged me to be as independent as possible.  In 2013, while in training for my service dog, my accessible van broke down 400 miles from home and was non-repairable.  I have been home-bound for two years because we couldn’t afford to purchase another accessible vehicle.  Without transportation I had to give up my college degree hopes with three courses left to take, had to rent a vehicle to make doctor’s appointments that were outside of our county, and have not been able to see my family in New York for two years.  This grant was a huge help in getting my independence back!  I have been able to purchase a newer used vehicle with dependable accessibility thanks to this grant.  Thanks to The National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility I am able to get back out into the world and live independently again.