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Wheelchair Van for Sweet Simon

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My name is Beth, and I am trying to help a dear friend earn enough money to afford a wheelchair accessible van, so she and her husband can transport their beautiful son more safely and easily.  She and her husband both work, but insurmountable medical bills keep them from ever catching up, in spite of their best, and very responsible, efforts.




Simon is 9 years old.  He was born exactly one week after my own son and has been special and loved by us since.  Simon has a genetic issue called Trisomy 11q Monosomy 20p.  He is the only person in the world known to have this particular Trisomy.  This makes him one of a kind, but he's always been one of a kind to those who know and love him.  Simon is very active.  He attends a school for the deaf and blind, has his own Facebook page called "Simon's Hands" where he paints pictures assisted by his Mom, listens to music with his Dad, and enjoys swimming with his older brothers.



When he was smaller, he got to travel a bit because he was easier to transport and carry.  He's been to Chicago, Florida and California, and this past year went to Disney World through the Make A Wish Foundation and Give Kids the World.  I think he has never been happier than when he was there.

Now that Simon is 9, he is much bigger and heavier, and becoming much harder to lift and maneuver safely, especially alone.  Winter is a particularly worrisome time due to snow and ice.  This limits the places and times that his parents are able to take him anywhere.  Even the van they have now isn't wheelchair accessible.  They have to lift him into the van and out into his wheelchair for every doctor appointment, every trip to the store, every outing.  The alternative is to take him on the train, which makes a quick trip take hours longer, waiting for a train schedule instead of being able to go when they need to be somewhere.  Unfortunately, their current van is on its last limping leg and must be replaced.  To get a new van, with only a ramp and the proper restraints for Simon's wheelchair to be rolled in and strapped down for travel, runs $60,000 and up.  This doesn't even include a lift... just a ramp.  I would love to earn enough for an ideal vehicle for them, or find a car dealership who would donate one to them, but what I am hoping for is to at least provide my friend and her family with a reliable vehicle that can work for them.  I have found several used vans, with ramps and wheelchair restraints, that run around $30,000 and would work well enough for their needs.  





This is a huge undertaking, for a very loving, kind and dedicated family.  It CAN be met though.  $1, $5, $100, $1000.  It adds up, and every dollar brings this wonderful family a speck closer to being able to take one major stressor off of their shoulders. 

In the interest of full disclosure, I want to tell you my dear friend lives in Utah.  Over the years, their family and local friends have been so generous and helpful, and I thought perhaps asking for help from outside of their local circle would be a better idea, which is why I offered to do this from Michigan.  The local friends and family will also see this, and are welcome to contribute, but I hoped to take a little pressure off of them and NOT make it a local request for help.  I won't be touching or getting any of the money donated here.  GoFundMe.com will send a check directly to them, to purchase a vehicle near them, whenever we meet our goal or I request that it be sent to them. 

Valorie, Simon's Mom, has been an incredible friend to me over the past 10 years.  We have seen each other thru some trying times, personal triumphs, medical emergencies, joyous reunions, and thru Divine Intervention she was even here when my Father passed away unexpectedly.  In spite of the enormous hurdles she overcomes on a daily basis, she has never been too busy for her friends and family, no matter how far apart we all are.  She is an incredibly dedicated mother to all 3 of her sons, and especially to Simon, who has all too many medical emergencies besides his daily care, which is more than most Moms could comprehend.  Always positive, always strong in her Faith, always loving, never complaining, possessing a wicked sense of humor and an infectious laugh... she just truly deserves to have her load lessened by having a vehicle that will keep her son safer, and her own back strong and healthy.

Please consider donating to this very deserving family and helping to change their lives.  Any amount at all would be amazing and generous and received with more gratitude than you can fathom.  Thank you so much!

 

 

 

 

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Donations 

  • Christopher Tucker
    • $37 
    • 9 yrs
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Organizer

Beth Bishop Baldwin
Organizer
Berkley, MI

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