I'm fundraising for my adult son, Julian. In 2020, Julian suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and is now 100% disabled. My husband and I care for him 24/7, and one of our biggest ongoing needs is safe, reliable transportation.

A few years ago, with help from family, we raised a few thousand dollars and put it toward a handicap-accessible van. That van helped us for a long time, but it is now literally falling apart. We are pushing it along as best we can, and because of its condition, dealers will not even take it as a trade-in.

This van is not a luxury for Julian. He depends on it for therapy and doctor visits. We live in Florida, and unlike when we were in Pennsylvania, disabled ride options like Uber or Lyft are not available to us here. The van is also what allows Julian to come with us for groceries, trips to the mall, and time out of the house. Those outings are important for stimulation and social connection, and they help us do something together as a family.

What makes this especially urgent is that the van no longer feels safe. Sometimes we travel to Miami for therapy, and it is scary to think about breaking down with Julian with us. We are asking for help so we can put the funds toward a down payment or, ideally, the cost of a replacement handicap-accessible van.

If you are able to donate or share this fundraiser, it would mean so much to our family. Your support will help Julian get to the care he needs and continue having the outings that bring him comfort, stimulation, and connection.