My wife Heather has been living with a movement disorder for the past four years, and it has changed every part of our daily lives. She is in a wheelchair full-time, cannot stand or walk on her own, and needs help with every basic task, from using the restroom to showering. On top of that, her vision and hearing are impaired, she’s on oxygen 24/7, and her body is swollen and fragile. Despite all of these challenges, Heather’s spirit remains strong—she’s the kind of person who always thinks of others first, loves making personalized gifts, and has a laugh that can light up any room. We’ve been friends since fourth grade, married for 20 years, and have four wonderful kids together. Our love is unbreakable, and it’s what keeps us going through the hardest times.

Getting Heather to her many medical appointments—physical therapy, occupational therapy, specialists, and more—has become a huge challenge. Her new wheelchair, provided by Medicaid, is too large and heavy for our car. We sometimes borrow a friend’s van or pay for a local service, but these options are unreliable and expensive. There have been times when Heather has missed important doctor visits or special family moments, like our anniversary or seeing our daughter in Delaware, simply because we had no way to get her there. Most people take these things for granted, but for us, reliable transportation would be life-changing.

A wheelchair accessible van would give Heather back a sense of normalcy and independence. When she’s able to use a van, she lights up—she can get in and out safely, without risking injury to herself or others. It would mean she could attend her appointments, celebrate special occasions, and just enjoy life outside our home. I know Heather would be embarrassed that I’m asking for help, but she is the love of my life, and I want to give her this gift that would truly change her world.