Baringhaus’s need a van!
Donation protected
The Baringhaus family needs a wheelchair accessible van for Jeff. The goal is to raise enough for a down payment. The following is a note from Jeff and Jennifer explaining their story and current needs. This is a great family with wonderful boys. This van will allow Jeff to reengage with his family outside the home. Thanks for your support!
Hi! Jeff and I are happily married parents of two amazing boys, Brady and Evan, ages 11 and 6. Last August, Jeff began experiencing extreme fatigue and muscle atrophy, from not being able to hold/use a fork and knife to struggling to walk up a flight of stairs. After weeks of tests and appointments with neurologists, Jeff was admitted into OSU in an attempt to find answers. Our fears were realized when Jeff was diagnosed with Amoytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which cannot be treated or cured.
Since his symptoms began, Jeff has continued to lose mobility in his arms, hands, and legs; he can no longer pick up a coffee cup, cut food with a knife, or pour himself a glass of water. Weakness in his legs and hips prevents Jeff from walking for more than a few minutes at a time and unable to stand up from most standard height chairs or furniture.
As a way to increase mobility, we are in the process of ordering a power wheelchair that will allow Jeff the freedom to leave the house and go to the boys’ school events and football and lacrosse games and doctors appointments or social events outside of our home. In order to transport the wheelchair from our house to any of the events, we need to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.
Wheelchair accessible vans are very expensive, with the ramp lift mechanism costing up to $30k on top of the cost of the van. As I’ve been speaking to different mobility salesman, I believe that I can purchase a used van already converted with the ramp functionality, but that will depend on the inventory when I am ready to buy (As with anything else, timing is everything.). These vans cost anywhere between $35-$50K, so I am asking for help with the down payment to make the cost more tolerable.
We thank you for your generosity and support through the next phase of our journey.
Jeff, Jennifer, Brady & Evan
Hi! Jeff and I are happily married parents of two amazing boys, Brady and Evan, ages 11 and 6. Last August, Jeff began experiencing extreme fatigue and muscle atrophy, from not being able to hold/use a fork and knife to struggling to walk up a flight of stairs. After weeks of tests and appointments with neurologists, Jeff was admitted into OSU in an attempt to find answers. Our fears were realized when Jeff was diagnosed with Amoytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which cannot be treated or cured.
Since his symptoms began, Jeff has continued to lose mobility in his arms, hands, and legs; he can no longer pick up a coffee cup, cut food with a knife, or pour himself a glass of water. Weakness in his legs and hips prevents Jeff from walking for more than a few minutes at a time and unable to stand up from most standard height chairs or furniture.
As a way to increase mobility, we are in the process of ordering a power wheelchair that will allow Jeff the freedom to leave the house and go to the boys’ school events and football and lacrosse games and doctors appointments or social events outside of our home. In order to transport the wheelchair from our house to any of the events, we need to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.
Wheelchair accessible vans are very expensive, with the ramp lift mechanism costing up to $30k on top of the cost of the van. As I’ve been speaking to different mobility salesman, I believe that I can purchase a used van already converted with the ramp functionality, but that will depend on the inventory when I am ready to buy (As with anything else, timing is everything.). These vans cost anywhere between $35-$50K, so I am asking for help with the down payment to make the cost more tolerable.
We thank you for your generosity and support through the next phase of our journey.
Jeff, Jennifer, Brady & Evan
Organizer and beneficiary
Erin Campbell
Organizer
Columbus, OH
Jennifer Baringhaus
Beneficiary
