Hi, my name is Austin Bonebrake some of you may have read about my story.
February 19th, 2015 I was sledding with sister I lost control of the sled
resulting in hitting a tree which shattered my C5 and broke C6 vertebrae, I was
paralyzed instantly only 2 weeks before my 16th birthday. My life was
changed forever in an instant.  Like every teenager I was so excited about
getting my license but as you can imagine that didn’t happen. But with the
extensive rehab I have been able to do, I now know I can drive if I can get
a vehicle set up (really built) just for my needs.
My Mom has been fantastic she has been taking me everywhere I need to go
and that has been great, but it limits her to not being able to have a job,
so my dad is the only working member of the family currently.
I was blessed with the opportunity to go Atlanta during rehab and drive a
vehicle while at the Shepherds center so now I know now that I can drive if
I could get the funds needed to have a vehicle custom built for me.
I have been able to finish my high school and have just completed my first
year at Volunteer state community college, I am studying environmental
Science which has been great for me but again my Mom must take me every day
and come and pick me up, on my short days she just sits in the car and
waits for me.
It would be great to have my own vehicle and the feeling of being able to
drive myself and not having to depend on someone else all of the time. We
have been able to get the cost for such a vehicle and it is extremely
expensive the cost of independence is really going to be a lot of money.
You can you-tube the vehicles and see how they operate the entire side
opens and a lift lowers down so I can get my wheel chair on to the lift
then it raises up and the side closes, it is pretty awesome but the
opportunity for me to be independent would be great.
The cost for the modifications needed on a truck are $59,761 plus the cost
of a truck which would be $27000 to $32,000 depending on options. I know
this seems like a lot of money and it is, but I have full plans to complete
my college and get a job and become a productive member of society. I
realize these dollar amounts are higher than my previous figures but they
were estimates and after having the opportunity to drive in Atlanta they
now know almost exactly what I will need to completely be able to safely
drive.  This is more than a dream it is my goal I must make this happen and
I cannot do it without your help. Please if there is anyway you can help
any thing you can give and please share my story with any and everyone you
may be able to.