Alyssa's Journey
My name is Jennifer. I am Alyssa's aunt. Alyssa was in the National Mobility Awareness Contest for the month of May. The goal was to obtain enough votes to help her win a handicap accessible vehicle. Four vans were to be given away to four winners. Sadly, Alyssa was not one of them. Both Alyssa, her family, and all her supporters are okay with that. We wish nothing but the best for the winners, and all the others who are in the same position as Alyssa.
After spending some time thinking about our next step, together we decided that perhaps a fundraising site would be the way to go. So, here we are with the hopes that enough money can be raised to go towards the expense of a handicap accessible vehicle for Alyssa. The following essay is in Alyssa's words. Any help is greatly appreciated, whether it is a donation, or just simple prayers and well wishes. Thank you all for your support.
My name is Alyssa and I am 19 years old. I was born in Virginia in 1994. My parents had me when they were just teenagers. I always saw the struggles they went through being so young and trying to give me the best life they could. When I was just a toddler my family and I moved to Colorado. My mom put herself through college and my dad worked very hard to provide for us. In 2000 we decided to drive to Oklahoma to see my grandparents for Thanksgiving. We were only an hour away from our destination when we were in a near fatal car accident. My dad broke his hip and pelvis, my mom crushed her ankle and had a detached retina, and the worst happening to me, a severed spinal cord, leaving me paralyzed for the rest of my life, at the age of 6.
We had to reside in Oklahoma until we were all well. I went to a rehab hospital so I could learn how to live my new life. We eventually moved back to Colorado and that’s where all my medical problems started…since the accident I have had 13 surgeries. I spent most of my childhood in the hospital and always thought the hospital as a second home to me. In 2007 we moved back to Virginia and I went to High School in a little town called Mathews. I met so many amazing people who have helped me so much. My Senior year I was crowned Homecoming Queen which is a memory I will never forget. It’s been almost a year since I have graduated, and financially we can’t afford a vehicle and I truly need this for my independance and to start college.
I would love to be able to have one less thing for me and my parents to not have to stress over, if not for me … please for my parents who have never gave up, on eachother or me!
