John's Van Fund

21 years ago, at the age of 21, my son John Keppler’s life was changed forever. He was standing outside his family’s home in Rotterdam, NY when he was assaulted - unprovoked - by another man who though John was “saying things about him”. The man slammed John to the ground, and John’s neck was broken and his spine was severed. Since that day, John has been a quadriplegic. Today, on the 21st anniversary of the assault, John has been a quadriplegic for more than half of his life.

Over the past 21 years, John has endured countless surgeries and trips to the ICU. Many times I was told that he would not make it. But, John’s tenacious spirit has survived, and he is currently living as normal a life as he can with his disabilities.


John is able to get around with his specially-equipped van, driven by his family and friends. The van uses a hydraulic lift to raise his wheelchair into the van.


John's a pretty tall guy, and his chair ends up sitting pretty high inside the van, which is very uncomfortable for him, and prevents him from being able to see out the window.


The van is old (it's a 1992), and is really beginning to show its age. And the lift itself is starting to be very unsafe. 


The lift is so old  it needs help just to work!

A few months ago, I had a chance to get a new van - but John was actually too tall to enter it. He tried everything to fit inside, but it was just too dangerous. His heart - and mine - was broken. But I have since found a different model, one with a dropped floor that will allow John to fit inside comfortably.

This is where I'm asking for your help.

I would love to be able to purchase a new wheelchair-accessible van for John, one that does not use a hydraulic lift. New vans are very different from the van John uses today - they have no lift, but instead have a dropped floor and a small access ramp for the chair. The lower floor of the van will enable John sit lower and see out the window. And obviously a new van will have more updated safety equipment and amentities for John and whoever is driving him.


(the image above is an example of the van I'm looking at)

A new van would allow John to feel more safe and secure, and to enjoy more activities, such as visiting friends and attending concerts (his favorite thing is going to see shows at SPAC). On this 21st anniversary of the accident, I know for a fact that John would be thrilled to have a nicer van.

I hope you will consider helping us purchase this new van, and making John's life a little easier and a lot safer. Thank you for any contributions- big or small, they are greatly appreciated.

-Kathy