Ride For Doug needs a Ride For Doug
Donation protected
Short Version:
Doug is a 15 year old young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who just received his first power chair. His family does not have a vehicle capable of carrying it, let alone one he will be physically able to drive. This fundraiser is aimed to help solve that by raising the first $25,000 towards an accessible vehicle. Please give so that Doug can get out into the community.
Long Version:
Doug is a 15 year old teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As the disease progresses, he is slowly losing his independence. He is still able to walk, but the distances become shorter, and it is taking him longer and longer.
This month, Doug received his first power wheelchair. He uses it with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it allows him to keep up with others. On the other hand (to quote him) he “feels even more disabled”. As his parents, our hope is that with use the stigma will drop off, and the freedom of movement will take over. (He has already been busted for burning donuts in the school gym with it – so there is hope).
We do not have a vehicle capable of carrying his chair. He is limited to driving it places around his home, and only during good weather. Normally, this is where the “GoFund Me for a wheelchair van for Doug” would kick off. But it is more complicated than that.
Doug is a car guy who is 4 months away from the most important of all dates. His 16th birthday. Those of you who are car guys, who know car guys, or who have rolled your eyes at car guys - understand the significance of your first car. Doug is looking for a 240SX that he can drift when he thinks I’m not watching - he’s not looking for mom and dad to roll into town with him in the back of a beige wheelchair ramped Toyadodge Seinavan. What teenage boy would?
(Please note that this fundraiser is not raising money for the 240SX pictured here. It is included for illustrative purposes only.)
We need to find a Ride For Doug.
This means buying a vehicle that can fit Doug’s powerchair. It also means buying a vehicle that Doug can transfer from the chair to a seat to drive – or drive from his chair. Furthermore, the selected vehicle has to be modified with whatever special controls Doug needs to be functionally able to drive it. And it needs to be cool. Someway, somehow, we need to avoid stomping on the hopes and dreams of a car guy.
And quite honestly we don’t know what that vehicle looks like. Doug can’t get functionally assessed until he is 16 and has his “L” permit. We need to start fundraising now, so that when the time comes we can move quickly in whatever direction is necessary.
Here are some facts and figures.
- Typical minivan with powered ramp - $60,000
- 10 year old used minivan with powered ramp - $30,000
- Ford Explorer MKV (wheelchair accessible Explorer) - $80,000
- Typically a wheelchair conversion adds $20,000 to $30,000 to the base vehicle cost
- Doug requires a power-operated ramp and doors if he is going to be the driver
- Hand Controls / Pedal Extenders - $1,500 - $5,000
Please help us raise $25,000 towards getting a Ride For Doug. This will allow us to move quickly towards buying a vehicle once Doug’s driving needs are assessed. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy boys lose so much of what is important to them. Let’s do this one thing for Doug.
Thank you in advance for your kind generosity.
(You can either donate here, or save the 3% in processing fees by bringing your donations directly to the ride. Please note that these donations are not tax deductible. If you are looking for a tax-deductible donation, please go towww.RideForDoug.com/donate-now and select the Donate to MDC option.)
Background:
Ride For Doug ( www.RideForDoug.com ) is an annual charity motorcycle ride started in 2007 to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. Over the first 12 years it has raised $220,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, as well as $13,000 for the special project of putting a stair lift into his home.
Please see www.RideForDoug.com for more information on Doug, his family, and the Ride For Doug event.
Doug is a 15 year old young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who just received his first power chair. His family does not have a vehicle capable of carrying it, let alone one he will be physically able to drive. This fundraiser is aimed to help solve that by raising the first $25,000 towards an accessible vehicle. Please give so that Doug can get out into the community.
Long Version:
Doug is a 15 year old teenager with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As the disease progresses, he is slowly losing his independence. He is still able to walk, but the distances become shorter, and it is taking him longer and longer.
This month, Doug received his first power wheelchair. He uses it with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it allows him to keep up with others. On the other hand (to quote him) he “feels even more disabled”. As his parents, our hope is that with use the stigma will drop off, and the freedom of movement will take over. (He has already been busted for burning donuts in the school gym with it – so there is hope).
We do not have a vehicle capable of carrying his chair. He is limited to driving it places around his home, and only during good weather. Normally, this is where the “GoFund Me for a wheelchair van for Doug” would kick off. But it is more complicated than that.
Doug is a car guy who is 4 months away from the most important of all dates. His 16th birthday. Those of you who are car guys, who know car guys, or who have rolled your eyes at car guys - understand the significance of your first car. Doug is looking for a 240SX that he can drift when he thinks I’m not watching - he’s not looking for mom and dad to roll into town with him in the back of a beige wheelchair ramped Toyadodge Seinavan. What teenage boy would?
(Please note that this fundraiser is not raising money for the 240SX pictured here. It is included for illustrative purposes only.)
We need to find a Ride For Doug.
This means buying a vehicle that can fit Doug’s powerchair. It also means buying a vehicle that Doug can transfer from the chair to a seat to drive – or drive from his chair. Furthermore, the selected vehicle has to be modified with whatever special controls Doug needs to be functionally able to drive it. And it needs to be cool. Someway, somehow, we need to avoid stomping on the hopes and dreams of a car guy.
And quite honestly we don’t know what that vehicle looks like. Doug can’t get functionally assessed until he is 16 and has his “L” permit. We need to start fundraising now, so that when the time comes we can move quickly in whatever direction is necessary.
Here are some facts and figures.
- Typical minivan with powered ramp - $60,000
- 10 year old used minivan with powered ramp - $30,000
- Ford Explorer MKV (wheelchair accessible Explorer) - $80,000
- Typically a wheelchair conversion adds $20,000 to $30,000 to the base vehicle cost
- Doug requires a power-operated ramp and doors if he is going to be the driver
- Hand Controls / Pedal Extenders - $1,500 - $5,000
Please help us raise $25,000 towards getting a Ride For Doug. This will allow us to move quickly towards buying a vehicle once Doug’s driving needs are assessed. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy boys lose so much of what is important to them. Let’s do this one thing for Doug.
Thank you in advance for your kind generosity.
(You can either donate here, or save the 3% in processing fees by bringing your donations directly to the ride. Please note that these donations are not tax deductible. If you are looking for a tax-deductible donation, please go towww.RideForDoug.com/donate-now and select the Donate to MDC option.)
Background:
Ride For Doug ( www.RideForDoug.com ) is an annual charity motorcycle ride started in 2007 to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. Over the first 12 years it has raised $220,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, as well as $13,000 for the special project of putting a stair lift into his home.
Please see www.RideForDoug.com for more information on Doug, his family, and the Ride For Doug event.
Organizer
Cam Penner
Organizer
Langley City, BC
