My name is Amy, and I’m a mom of four amazing kids — Sierra (23), DJ (19), Bella (9), and Logan (5). My oldest, Sierra, lives in Pennsylvania and is working toward her master’s degree. I’m so proud of her! I live here in North Carolina with my three youngest, and two of them have disabilities. Reliable transportation has become our biggest obstacle to getting the medical care and therapies they desperately need.

Logan just turned 5 on August 22, and his medical needs are complex and lifelong. He has Periventricular Leukomalacia (a type of brain injury that affects motor control and coordination), a Rathke Cleft Cyst in his brain, autism level 3, global developmental delays, hypotonia, ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), gastroparesis and is nonverbal. Because of his hypotonia, Logan needs a wheelchair when we’re in public — he doesn’t have the strength or coordination to walk safely.

Feeding is also a huge challenge. Logan only eats two specific foods and drinks Kids Essential 1.5 Boost shakes, which I have to feed him through a medicine dropper. He will only drink water from one particular sippy cup. Feeding him is a full-time job, and making sure he gets enough nutrition is something I manage carefully every day.

Logan should be in physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapies, but we’ve struggled to keep consistent appointments because of transportation. Medicaid transportation (WellCare) only gives us temporary 15-day approvals for accessible rides — and even then, we’re often left waiting hours for pickups that never come. His pediatrician has faxed the required forms three times, clearly stating that Logan’s disabilities are permanent and that he needs permanent wheelchair-accessible transportation, but WellCare continues to claim they “never received it.”

We’ve been stranded after medical appointments and even at community activities like the library for more than four hours, just waiting for a ride home. I’ve had to stop taking Logan to some therapies because missing multiple appointments (even when it’s due to transportation failure) means he gets discharged. Reliable transportation is the one thing standing between Logan and the care he needs to grow, learn, and thrive.

A wheelchair-accessible van isn’t just a vehicle for us — it’s medical equipment. It would mean Logan could safely get to therapies, doctor visits, and the community spaces that help him learn and experience the world around him.

I’m setting our goal at $40,000 to cover a reliable used wheelchair-accessible van that doesn’t need major repairs, plus registration, insurance, and any adaptive modifications needed to make it safe for Logan.

Every dollar helps us take one step closer to giving Logan the independence, stability, and consistent care he deserves. Thank you for reading, sharing, and caring about my sweet boy.