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HELP BART WITH TREATMENTS AND VAN!

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The Beginning
As most of you know, on July 23, 2015, Bart Trotter was diagnosed with ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig's disease.  This is a terminal illness that has no cure.   Basically, the doctor told us to go home and for Bart to get ready to die!  They said he probably had about 5 months to live.  We decided right then and there that we  refused to accept that prognosis.  Bart and I decided on "Our Plan".  That plan was to Trust God!  Even knowing there is no cure for this horrible disease our plan was to do whatever was necessary to keep Bart as healthy as possible and lean on our faith.  
The BattleJuly 23, 2018 will be 3 years since that day and Bart is still going strong!  This journey has not been easy but we have stuck to our plan.  One of the hardest things we have faced is the extreme cost of this diesease.  The cost to care for an ALS patient per year is about $200,000.    To make things even harder I cannot work since I am his 24/7 caregiver.  Trying to live off of a disability check every month is proving almost impossible.  We have been blessed with help from our families and some close friends along the way and their help has been invaluable.  However we are at the point now where we have some really big needs to continue fighting this battle. That is the reason for this Go Fund Me Account and the large money goal. 
Our Need*
Our biggest need right now is purchasing a handicap accessible van.  We have a trailer that we can load his power wheelchair on, cover, and pull behind the car.  That is IF the weather permits.   Or we have a manual wheelchair that we can take places.  The problem with that is I am only 5ft. tall and Bart is 6'1" and weighs 265lbs.  So for me to push him any distance at all is nearly impossible not to mention I cannot see over his head!  This is making us virtually prisoners at home especially Bart.  We are unable to ever make definite plans as our transportation is always an issue.  Being able to go and both of us get in a van and go no matter the circumstances would help both of us in more ways than we can tell you.  We have researched used vans through a mobility company. Due to Bart's height we are limited to just a couple of models and they must be 2012 or newer. The price of one of these used vans is about $40,000.  Without the help of your donations we will not be able to purchase one of these vehicles.  
A Personal Note from DeniseNot one time since his diagnosis have I heard Bart complain or ask "why me".   He has the most positive attitude of anyone I have ever seen.  I watch him work and struggle in physical therapy learning to walk again, in speech therapy trying to improve his speech and taking his IV infusions 10 days out of each month all the while with that famous Bart Trotter smile.  Being an amazing musician he does miss playing music. But he still loves to go as much as he can and be around it. Without the van it is becoming impossible to go anywhere. Having a handicap accessible van would allow us to have some sort of "normalcy" again in our life.  And to be able to catch up on our bills would give he and I both some peace of mind.  I cannot think of anyone more deserving of your help than Bart Trotter.What can you do?
Please, if you can here are the ways you can help: 
1. Keep on praying for us!
2.  Donate! Donate! There is no amount to small.  Every donation will help us reach our goal.   Remember your donation is tax deductible.  The sooner we reach our goal the sooner we can put all our effort into fighting this battle.
3.  Finally whether you are able to donate or not please SHARE OUR STORY.   Share the link on your Facebook page, through text or email.  Please help us get our story out there!  

Setting up a fundraiser for this amount of money is deeply humbling for Bart and I.  Asking others for help is hard and not something we take lightly.   We are so very grateful for each and every person who takes the time to read our story, donate and share our need.

 Thank you all!
Bart and Denise Trotter
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Donations 

  • Jean Givens
    • $25 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Denise Boen Trotter
Organizer
Killeen, TX

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