Family, friends and others,
Some of you may know us - our names' are Maryann and Kevin Lavigne. We are the blessed parents of a beautiful 14 year old , Jasmine.
For those of you who know Jasmine, you know she has a physical disorder known as Cerberal Palsy. Jazzy has one of the most severe forms one can have. She has no control over her body movements or functions and is confined to a wheel chair. She is non-verbal and requires a feeding tube. However, what most of you know...she is the sweetest, happiest girl around. We are so happy to have this angel in our lives but it does have it's challenges.
My husband, with help, is currently building a "Jasmine Friendly" house to make our and her life so much more functional. Although this is such a milestone in our lives we are also in need of a "Jasmine friendly" WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VAN. These vans to be bought and made cost 60 THOUSAND dollars. We are not looking for pitty but we're asking for help...
We are getting older...as is Jasmine. She is getting bigger, heavier and taller and we're getting weaker. The bigger she gets the harder it is to move and lift her. She is very stiff and has little to no bend in her joints...making lifting her a very difficult task. Not only is she getting bigger, her chair is also getting bigger and heavier - doubling the amount of weight we have to lift. Lifting her has already taken a toll on us and this van will make our lives that much easier and less painful for us and Jasmine. This van allows Jasmine to be comfortable as she grows and requires less movement/strain on all our parts.
Please help us fund for this van to allow us to have the most typical life possible. We want to live a long, healthy life for our daughter. But this lifting is damaging on us especially as we grow older. We have learned not to take for granted the little things you do not think about when traveling with a child...typically a 13 year old can easily get in and out of a vehicle with no help...or they can even stay in the vehicle if you run into the store quickly. That is NOT the case with Jasmine. What would be a 10 minute stop at the store...turns into a strenious 30-40 minute trip after you factor in her wheelchair (taking her in/out, putting the wheelchair in/out of vehicle etc).
Please pass this link whether or not you can/choose donate. Every little bit helps!! Even if that is passing information along. Thank you so much in advance for donations or any help in ANY way that everyone offers us - your small acts of kindness will impact all our lives imensley.
Lots of love ,
The Lavigne Family.
