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A Wheelchair Van for Corinne

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Hi friends,


My name’s Bertram and I am organizing this GoFundMe campaign for my dear friends Corinne & Al. They need our help to replace their van that has been modified to transport Corinne’s powered wheelchair. Since neither Corinne nor Al can work due their health/medical issues and live on a fixed income, there is no money in their budget to spend on a replacement vehicle.


Corinne is 71, a retired special education teacher, and lives with her husband Al in Marrowstone, a small island in the Puget Sound near Seattle. Al is 76 and is currently limited by heart ailments. They’re good neighbors, active parishioners, caring people and dear friends. 


20 years ago, Corinne was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Like me. MS is a disease that attacks the body’s central nervous system, usually resulting in loss of muscle control. It is very common for folks with MS to have trouble walking. I use a cane. Unlike me, Corinne depends on a wheelchair to get around. 


And she needs her specially-modified van to transport her powered-wheelchair to get out and about for shopping, visiting friends, going to doctors appointments and for attending church. And because there is no public transportation on the island, both the wheelchair and the adapted van are necessities for Corinne’s independence and wellbeing.


Unfortunately, their old wheelchair-modified 1992 Dodge Grand Caravan recently broke down, for the final time. Gary the mechanic said that after 240,000+ miles, the transmission is shot. And due to the age of the van, he wouldn’t recommend fixing it. Other old parts of the van will start failing soon and it will be costly to replace/repair them. In short, it’s time to buy a replacement vehicle. 


Al has priced acceptable vans and found that they’ll need about $7500 to purchase one. This amount will buy a basic, no-frills van with door specifications necessary to support the installation of a chair ramp that will safely stow her powered wheelchair. 


Al has researched the local used van market using the following criteria:

  • Reasonable mileage for age
  • Auto transmission 
  • Power windows
  • Working climate controls 
  • Removable middle seats
  • Power sliding side doors preferred
  • Side doors must open 30” wide minimum

Potential vehicle candidates include the Kia Sedona and the Dodge Grand Caravan, both 2010 or newer. 

I ask that you consider contributing to our GoFundMe effort. Any amount will help. I can assure you that all monies will exclusively be used for the van purchase and any repairs and/or modifications necessary to accommodate Corinne’s wheelchair. I also ask you to share this link with friends and family. Again, any amount, no matter how small, will help and be deeply appreciated. 

On behalf of Corinne & Al, thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Bless each and every one of you!!


Bertram J Chatham

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Donations 

  • Kara Zukoski
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
  • Claire Roberts
    • $25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Kenda K Vaughan
    • $70 
    • 2 yrs
  • Kathleen Estabrook
    • $25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Coe M Hutchison
    • $50 
    • 2 yrs
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Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (2)

Bertram Chatham
Organizer
Raised $6,946 from 64 donations
Stockton, CA
Ceil Chatham
Team member
This team raised $3,145 from 20 other donations.

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