AWARENESS FOR ADAPTIVE VEHICLE
As a graduate of Virginia State University, I finished with honors Cum Laude in 2016. I have overcome many obstacles to this very day that include being confined to a wheelchair. The purpose of this account is to bring awareness to my need for an adaptive car.
Despite my limitations, I have received my driver’s license on June 6, 2016. However, in order to accommodate my special needs, it is necessary to have a vehicle modified to do so. As some of you may or may not know, these vehicles are very expensive. The Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has generously offered to help me purchase an adaptive vehicle by paying for the necessary modifications needed to be added in order for a paraplegic like myself to operate a vehicle. Although this offer is greatly appreciated, it still leaves myself to pay for the remaining amount to obtain a vehicle.
With being confined to a wheelchair, this has left me feeling like a burden on many people. Losing friendships with people whom I thought I could count on because they were simply embarrassed and tired of helping me. Folding and breaking down the wheelchair is cumbersome and because of this hardship and difficulty in retaining friends, I’ve even lent my time to people who did and have said the cruelest things to and about me, and tolerated it just so I could get around.
Raising the funds to assist with the remaining payment of the vehicle would create a life changing experience. An adaptive vehicle would allow me to get around and do things without worrying if I am bothering anyone. I would be able to explore new things and meet new people. This would also allow me to find a place of employment. With a degree in social work, most job descriptions require that the candidate should have a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation. Without having the necessary vehicle to allow myself to get to and from, I would be unable to get hired.
My passion is to help others, but my training in social work has taught me that you have to first help yourself before you can be in any position to help others. My ultimate goal is to help other people with disabilities find resources and assistance that allow them to become independent. In order to achieve this, I would first have to become independent myself.
I hope that my story will inspire you to consider my request for help in purchasing an adaptive vehicle. Even the smallest contribution is greatly appreciated.
