Keegan's Van Fund-Please Help!
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On July 12, 2000, Keegan James Miller arrived in the USA to become our son. He was 15 months old and just over 8 pounds, we knew he had cerebral palsy and had no way to know how severe it would be. Our prayer was that we could give him the love and life that he deserved and that he would bring joy and understanding to those who met him. He has never disappointed us in that prayer for him.
One word to discribe Keegan is "Smiling". He has always had an infectious smile that draws people to him. Keegan is above average in intellegence and attends regular classes at Mount Juliet Middle School. He has an aid that helps him with writing since the CP effects both arms and legs. Keegan is fortunate to be able to express himself through speech. He excels in Social Studies, has difficulties with math due to the writing aspect.
Last year, Keegan was asked to be a homecoming escort for one of the nominees for homecoming queen. He is a member of the Beta Club (honor students only) and Best Buddies. I hope you can begin to know him by what I write.
As Keegan got older and larger, we found that our home was not appropriate for us anymore. The home had stairs to the front door, and stairs up and down as soon as you entered the door. With Keegan topping the scales just under 100 pounds, and arthritis settling in my knees, we felt it was finally time to get another place that he could get into. In May, 2013, we moved into a one story house and had a ramp built so that he could get into the house.
Keegan has gone through four major surgeries and four minor surgeries. He has a backlofen pump that helps with his spasticity. The pump must be filled every four or five months (failure to fill will result in certain death). During his 14 years with us, I have had to take a year off from school to take him to doctor's appointments after the pump was installed. His dad lost his job and was without work for a year shortly after I went back to work. The medical bills have piled up and though we pay on them, there are always more and we never get caught up.
AND NOW Keegan is getting ready to go to high school. We have recently talked with physical therapists who say that Keegan will need a power chair to get around the high school and to carry him on into college. The wheel chair will be purchased with insurance but the deductible is still a lot of money. BUT, in order to qualify for a power chair, we have to have a vehicle that can carry that chair with him in it. We can either adapt our van for $20,000 or buy a used van for about $36,000. Friends have suggested I try fundraising with my facebook friends. I have set the bar high, enough money to pay for the van, the chair, and pay off the bills. Will you help Keegan have a way to be as much like other kids as he can? Will you help me so that I'm not lifting him and hurting my body?
One word to discribe Keegan is "Smiling". He has always had an infectious smile that draws people to him. Keegan is above average in intellegence and attends regular classes at Mount Juliet Middle School. He has an aid that helps him with writing since the CP effects both arms and legs. Keegan is fortunate to be able to express himself through speech. He excels in Social Studies, has difficulties with math due to the writing aspect.
Last year, Keegan was asked to be a homecoming escort for one of the nominees for homecoming queen. He is a member of the Beta Club (honor students only) and Best Buddies. I hope you can begin to know him by what I write.
As Keegan got older and larger, we found that our home was not appropriate for us anymore. The home had stairs to the front door, and stairs up and down as soon as you entered the door. With Keegan topping the scales just under 100 pounds, and arthritis settling in my knees, we felt it was finally time to get another place that he could get into. In May, 2013, we moved into a one story house and had a ramp built so that he could get into the house.
Keegan has gone through four major surgeries and four minor surgeries. He has a backlofen pump that helps with his spasticity. The pump must be filled every four or five months (failure to fill will result in certain death). During his 14 years with us, I have had to take a year off from school to take him to doctor's appointments after the pump was installed. His dad lost his job and was without work for a year shortly after I went back to work. The medical bills have piled up and though we pay on them, there are always more and we never get caught up.
AND NOW Keegan is getting ready to go to high school. We have recently talked with physical therapists who say that Keegan will need a power chair to get around the high school and to carry him on into college. The wheel chair will be purchased with insurance but the deductible is still a lot of money. BUT, in order to qualify for a power chair, we have to have a vehicle that can carry that chair with him in it. We can either adapt our van for $20,000 or buy a used van for about $36,000. Friends have suggested I try fundraising with my facebook friends. I have set the bar high, enough money to pay for the van, the chair, and pay off the bills. Will you help Keegan have a way to be as much like other kids as he can? Will you help me so that I'm not lifting him and hurting my body?
Organizer
Laurel Williams Miller
Organizer
