Handicap Accessible Van
Donation protected
My name is Matthew Stafford. I am a professional writer with cerebral palsy from Greensboro, North Carolina. I cannot walk very well and because of epilepsy I cannot drive by state law.
As a result I use a specially designed van that has a ramp inside that I can roll into. I don't need to get out, and disassemble my chair like with your average van. I can just roll right in and get moving to job interviews, city council meetings, or other assorted events.
Or at least I could until some wonderful specimen of humanity (sarcasm) decided that my van belonged to his gang's chop shop. To put that more simply, someone stole my van.
For me this is really bad since my transportation options are pretty limited. I could use the Paratransit but it only covers city limits. Many of my events, like my Paralympic fencing class take place outside the city. I'm also going to Raleigh soon to get training to advocate for disability rights through Partners in Policy. This all sort of throws a wrench into my plans.
Wheelchair vans, even used ones are horrendously expensive. If you don't have a grant of some sort, you can expect to pay upwards of $10,000. Unfortunately, while insurance will help with the costs of the van, there's the cost of taxes, insurance deductible, titles, possible shipping, and inspeectio, it all adds up. So we need help.
We're not trying to get a brand new Ferrari of wheelchair vans (if there is such a thing). We just want $5,000 to go along with what the insurance company pays out to cover modifications
As a result I use a specially designed van that has a ramp inside that I can roll into. I don't need to get out, and disassemble my chair like with your average van. I can just roll right in and get moving to job interviews, city council meetings, or other assorted events.
Or at least I could until some wonderful specimen of humanity (sarcasm) decided that my van belonged to his gang's chop shop. To put that more simply, someone stole my van.
For me this is really bad since my transportation options are pretty limited. I could use the Paratransit but it only covers city limits. Many of my events, like my Paralympic fencing class take place outside the city. I'm also going to Raleigh soon to get training to advocate for disability rights through Partners in Policy. This all sort of throws a wrench into my plans.
Wheelchair vans, even used ones are horrendously expensive. If you don't have a grant of some sort, you can expect to pay upwards of $10,000. Unfortunately, while insurance will help with the costs of the van, there's the cost of taxes, insurance deductible, titles, possible shipping, and inspeectio, it all adds up. So we need help.
We're not trying to get a brand new Ferrari of wheelchair vans (if there is such a thing). We just want $5,000 to go along with what the insurance company pays out to cover modifications
Organizer
Terrie Massey Stafford Perriwinkle
Organizer
Greensboro, NC
