Jason Lake
Phone: [phone redacted]
[email redacted]


“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

To whom it may concern,

     The above statement by Eleanor Roosevelt has deeply impacted me and been a theme for most my life. My name is Jason Lake, and as Martin Luther King JR. also so boldly stated; “I have a dream:” My dream is freedom from a disability that has haunted me my entire life.



   I was born with a disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital Disorder.  The name of my disorder derived from the Greek language and means, literally, "curving of joints." The reality of this disease, means I am confined 100% to my wheel chair unless I am sleeping.  I am often asked to describe what it’s like to have my disability. The best way of describing my disability to you, is for you to close your eyes and imagine your arms and legs are bound with rubber bands: picture limbs that only stretch so far. Due to my limited range of motion every-day tasks like dressing, brushing teeth, and eating propose a challenge. Although the wheelchair gives me freedom it does have its limitations and unfortunately is not immune from mechanical and electrical failures.  Additionally, the weather can restrict my quality of life, by affecting my freedom. The circuit that provides mobility to the chair is highly sensitive to water, such as rain or inclement weather, and thus, when the weather is uncooperative, I am restricted to my home.

     I have worked hard to pursue my dreams despite the limitations of my disability.  Not only am I employed full time as a logistics broker, I am also a professional dog trainer. Additionally, I have an online business selling canine training equipment and weekly volunteer for a local 4H club to help kids train and compete with their dogs.  I also compete with my own dog in the sport of Schutzhund, one of the highest status obtained in canine obedience. 


      One of the most prominent hurdles I have not been able to overcome, however, is the ability to drive. You might call this my “thorn in my side.” Currently, if I have a transportation need, I must hire somebody to drive me or request help from a friend or family member.  My deepest desire and dream is to drive myself, unassisted, so that I can obtain the final goal of my self-sufficiency. Whether you are disabled or not, relationships with all people, require the fortitude to overcome hurdles.  When you are in a wheelchair and rely on others for transportation you cannot accomplish the things most people can do every day in their daily routine. As a man, there is no greater feeling than being able to surprise a loved one at work with lunch or even simply a cup of coffee. I would love to be able to pick up the children of my significant other and help with transportation to and from school or extra-curricular activities. In my past relationships these transportation limitations have been a barrier for me. The ability to do these small acts of service for others in my family would be of great benefit to them and increase my quality of life.


      For many years driving was not a practical goal for me, as the technology required to make this a reality did not exist.  With today's technological advances and adaptive equipment, however, my dream is now a possibility. The next hurdle: the funds to obtain my dream of driving and achieving the ultimate in self-sufficiency. 

      The purpose of this request is to raise the $150,000 required to purchase a vehicle equipped with adaptive controls and accessibility devices that would allow me to drive. If the funding I receive is in excess of the estimated required amount for this dream to become a reality, funders will be given the opportunity to have their prospective donations returned to them or donated to the Sparrow Foundation. The Sparrow Foundation not only provides financial and emotional support for critically ill children and their families, but also empowers youth to help children through charitable service in their communities.

     Any amount you can donate, no matter the size, gets me closer to realizing my dream to drive. If you have any questions or just want to learn more about me, I would be honored to hear from you. 


Tier 1: Purchase Vehicle ~ $25,000 - $40,000
Tier 2: Travel Expenses for testing $300  - $500
Tier 3: Vehicle Conversion $50,000 - $100,000
Misc: $1,000

Learn more about me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.lake.148
Business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProdogzDogTraining/
Daily Vlog: https://www.facebook.com/Jasonlakevlog/
Trucking Site: http://shipwithjason.com/
Dog Training Site:  http://dog-ter.com/
4H Club Website: http://jcdog4h.org/cultured_k9.html
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwztHQb2EuOOOUE1czOimlg


Respectfully,

Jason Lake
Phone: [phone redacted]
[email redacted]