Anthony J. McKenna Van & Modification Fundraiser!
Donación protegida
Four years ago, I had to accept the reality that I could no longer keep up with the demand of my career. I was a Social Worker in the hospital setting, which was a fast pace and demanding occupation. My disability, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (a form of Muscular Dystrophy), is a progressive disease. Over time increased weakness has taken my ability to run, walk, stand, and care for myself independently. However, it has not taken my drive nor desires to remain as independent as possible.
I have required the use of a wheelchair for my mobility since the 8th grade. My current chair is an Amigo scooter. It has been a chair that met my needs, but no longer does. Between my own thoughts of what I need, and my doctor’s recommendations, I am transitioning into an electric wheelchair, Permobil F5, for the first time. This chair will allow me to better care for and improve many aspects of my current health from circulation, bowel/bladder function, bone density, strength, and alleviation of contractures/edema. This chair can stand, recline, lay flat, elevate, and lean forward to aid with reaching. (See pictures at end of letter)
This change to the Permobil chair not only provides health benefits, it also opens the door to increased independence. Since I was 16yrs old, I have been fortunate to have resources that have allowed me to drive. From my parents purchasing my first handicapped van, to my purchases while I was working in my career. Unfortunately, resources for assistance with such high-cost vehicles does not exist when one is no longer working. Government resources are only available to assist to maintain someone’s employment or when you are a full-time student with plans to gain employment. Due to my overall condition these are no longer options available to me.
So, how will my new chair improve my independence? The new chair will allow me to drive a vehicle directly from my chair. My old chair did not provide this option, as there is no automatic locking system for scooters. I have been transferring to the driver’s seat, which has become very difficult. My arm strength also has declined, making driving with current manual hand controls and steering difficult and unsafe at times. The new chair can be secured into place where the driver’s seat used to be. The equipment system used is called, Q’STRAINT. Driving from the wheelchair is only part of the story. Electronic hand controls will be needed, to easily/safely manipulate the gas/brake functions. Reduced effort steering will be needed, or possibly a joystick electronic steering system, to allow for safe driving. These systems are life changing, but come at a huge cost. They become even more expensive, as they cannot be added to my current van due to its age and value. So, a new vehicle will be required as well.
The cost of regaining my independence, is more than I can afford to finance. I have not been good at asking for help in the past. I have strived to be independent. I have never asked for financial help. But at this time, I have no choice. If I want to remain as independent as I can
for myself, my children, and my wife, I need your help. Your generosity will provide me the resources to obtain the needed modifications to drive safely without exhaustion or risk, and that would be a huge blessing for myself and family!
The ugly numbers for wheelchair, van & modifications:
-Permobil (www.permobilus.com) F5 wheelchair (my approximate costs, after insurance coverage): $6,000-14,000.00
-Driving evaluation (required to evaluate driving safety prior to providing prescription for needed new modifications): $1,600.00
-Q’STRAINT (www.qstraint.com) wheelchair locking system: $2,000-2,500.00
-Gas/brake system (www.bevermobility.com) or Drivemaster System: $28,000-31,000.00
-DriveMaster Zero Effort Steering (www.drivemastermobility.com): $11,000-13,000.00 or Bozzio Joysteer System (www.bozzio.com): $15,000-20,000.00
-Vehicle conversion (lowered floor, ramp, kneeling system) (www.braunmobility.com)): $20,000-26,000.00
The total costs for me to simply be able to drive with my chair and needed modifications and have independence is on the low end $68,000.00 and high end is $95,000.00. Actual vehicle cost is not included.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I want to ask you to support me in any way that you can, to make my desire to be independent become a reality. I know that the past year with the pandemic and all the hardship it has caused and is causing, may limit what you can give. Any amount of support will be greatly appreciated. I have set a goal of raising $75,000 (a big number I know ) If you are unable to donate, but know others that may be interested, please pass this information to them. There is strength in numbers!
I have set up a GoFundMe page so that donating can be easy. The fundraiser title is “Anthony J. McKenna Van & Modification Fundraiser!” There is no fee to donate. They will withhold the credit/debit fees and $0.30 per donation for site costs from the donation. Personal donations can also be made directly to myself if desired, at 3142 Ponemah Dr. Fenton, MI 48430. I also have the honor of being sponsored by The Warda Foundation, a 501c3 charity in Fenton, MI, where tax deductible donations can be made in my name. Their address is The Warda Foundation 715 Torrey Rd. Fenton, MI 48430. (Ex. The Warda Foundation in care of Anthony or Jesse McKenna)
https://www.thebarnfenton.com/warda-foundation
https://www.facebook.com/thewardafoundation
I want to sincerely thank you for your time.
Anthony J. McKenna
(Sorry, the photos of the new chair and modifications would not size correctly to be in this letter.)
I have required the use of a wheelchair for my mobility since the 8th grade. My current chair is an Amigo scooter. It has been a chair that met my needs, but no longer does. Between my own thoughts of what I need, and my doctor’s recommendations, I am transitioning into an electric wheelchair, Permobil F5, for the first time. This chair will allow me to better care for and improve many aspects of my current health from circulation, bowel/bladder function, bone density, strength, and alleviation of contractures/edema. This chair can stand, recline, lay flat, elevate, and lean forward to aid with reaching. (See pictures at end of letter)
This change to the Permobil chair not only provides health benefits, it also opens the door to increased independence. Since I was 16yrs old, I have been fortunate to have resources that have allowed me to drive. From my parents purchasing my first handicapped van, to my purchases while I was working in my career. Unfortunately, resources for assistance with such high-cost vehicles does not exist when one is no longer working. Government resources are only available to assist to maintain someone’s employment or when you are a full-time student with plans to gain employment. Due to my overall condition these are no longer options available to me.
So, how will my new chair improve my independence? The new chair will allow me to drive a vehicle directly from my chair. My old chair did not provide this option, as there is no automatic locking system for scooters. I have been transferring to the driver’s seat, which has become very difficult. My arm strength also has declined, making driving with current manual hand controls and steering difficult and unsafe at times. The new chair can be secured into place where the driver’s seat used to be. The equipment system used is called, Q’STRAINT. Driving from the wheelchair is only part of the story. Electronic hand controls will be needed, to easily/safely manipulate the gas/brake functions. Reduced effort steering will be needed, or possibly a joystick electronic steering system, to allow for safe driving. These systems are life changing, but come at a huge cost. They become even more expensive, as they cannot be added to my current van due to its age and value. So, a new vehicle will be required as well.
The cost of regaining my independence, is more than I can afford to finance. I have not been good at asking for help in the past. I have strived to be independent. I have never asked for financial help. But at this time, I have no choice. If I want to remain as independent as I can
for myself, my children, and my wife, I need your help. Your generosity will provide me the resources to obtain the needed modifications to drive safely without exhaustion or risk, and that would be a huge blessing for myself and family!
The ugly numbers for wheelchair, van & modifications:
-Permobil (www.permobilus.com) F5 wheelchair (my approximate costs, after insurance coverage): $6,000-14,000.00
-Driving evaluation (required to evaluate driving safety prior to providing prescription for needed new modifications): $1,600.00
-Q’STRAINT (www.qstraint.com) wheelchair locking system: $2,000-2,500.00
-Gas/brake system (www.bevermobility.com) or Drivemaster System: $28,000-31,000.00
-DriveMaster Zero Effort Steering (www.drivemastermobility.com): $11,000-13,000.00 or Bozzio Joysteer System (www.bozzio.com): $15,000-20,000.00
-Vehicle conversion (lowered floor, ramp, kneeling system) (www.braunmobility.com)): $20,000-26,000.00
The total costs for me to simply be able to drive with my chair and needed modifications and have independence is on the low end $68,000.00 and high end is $95,000.00. Actual vehicle cost is not included.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I want to ask you to support me in any way that you can, to make my desire to be independent become a reality. I know that the past year with the pandemic and all the hardship it has caused and is causing, may limit what you can give. Any amount of support will be greatly appreciated. I have set a goal of raising $75,000 (a big number I know ) If you are unable to donate, but know others that may be interested, please pass this information to them. There is strength in numbers!
I have set up a GoFundMe page so that donating can be easy. The fundraiser title is “Anthony J. McKenna Van & Modification Fundraiser!” There is no fee to donate. They will withhold the credit/debit fees and $0.30 per donation for site costs from the donation. Personal donations can also be made directly to myself if desired, at 3142 Ponemah Dr. Fenton, MI 48430. I also have the honor of being sponsored by The Warda Foundation, a 501c3 charity in Fenton, MI, where tax deductible donations can be made in my name. Their address is The Warda Foundation 715 Torrey Rd. Fenton, MI 48430. (Ex. The Warda Foundation in care of Anthony or Jesse McKenna)
https://www.thebarnfenton.com/warda-foundation
https://www.facebook.com/thewardafoundation
I want to sincerely thank you for your time.
Anthony J. McKenna
(Sorry, the photos of the new chair and modifications would not size correctly to be in this letter.)
Organizador
Anthony McKenna
Organizador
Fenton, MI