David is 41 years old and has lived a very full life. He once served as a Full Time Christian Minister, started a business, been married and divorced, and even struggled with Alcoholism and Addiction. Starting to drink at age 13, he progressed to being addicted and experimenting with harder drugs. Despite those struggles, he has a passion for teaching what the Bible says about life. He’s invested over 14 years in Marketing and Sales. After marrying at age 25, he went into a state of depression and his marriage ended in 3 ½ years. David’s mental health issues resulted in homelessness. However, on November 8, 2015 David’s life changed never to be the same. He was physically healthy having never broken a bone in his body. Yet, 90 days before November 8 2015, David, had made decisions to get his life back on track. He started down the road to recovery. During that time he remained sober from drugs & alcohol by attending at least one 12 Step Meeting a day. He went into a local Salvation Army Vocational Rehab Program and there he developed some positive habits. He attended 12 Step Meetings, began to work again, and started a healthy diet. He found great support, and a strong Recovery Network living in the Birthplace of Alcoholic’s Anonymous — Akron, Ohio. However, on the 90th day of his sobriety he choose to drink with his roommates. It led to an altercation with one of them. David left the apartment and began to walk to his Mother’s house. Unfortunately, the black ice that night in combination with David being intoxicated caused him to lose his balance and slip at the end of someone’s driveway. David passed out, and woke up in the Intensive Care Unit at Cleveland Clinic. To his surprise he couldn’t move his legs, or speak. Apparently, a car in the driveway had backed over him! The driver was never identified by Detectives and how he got to Cleveland Clinic is unknown. David suffered a Spinal Cord Injury at the C5-C7 level. He came to learn that the only thing a human could endure more traumatic than a Spinal Cord Injury is a Heart Attack! He went into Intensive Therapy at Edwin Shaw, and vowed to carry over any good that he possibly could into this new chapter of his life. If working was something he enjoyed he’d work again! If being an athlete was something he’d enjoyed he be athletic from a wheelchair! If being of service was something he’d got pleasure from he’d engage in helping people! Since the accident 8 years ago David has lived in 12 nursing homes, has endured being abused by nurses, and has continued to struggle with Alcohol and Drugs. However, his determination has allowed him to persevere. He began his road to recovery again on May 2, 2021. He’s a member of a 12 Step Program and has a Sponsor. He has remained sober for over 1,057 days! This has resulted in many blessings for him. For example, he’s gained over 40 lbs. David also now has a wheelchair accessible apartment. He’s current with all of his medical appointments. He schedules his medical appointments, and his transportation to and from them. He orders groceries and they are home delivered. He active in helping others to recover from Alcohol and is involved in the Christian Ministry. David has also continued his education by completing 4 Certification Classes through Akron University (Business Budgeting, Professional Sales Skills, Effective Selling, and Individual Excellence). He’s recently expanded his employability by completing a 2 week Peer Recovery Supporter class. David has become an Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Supporter as of February 28th, 2023! Also, as a result of training with an Occupational Therapist for 16 hours on the road… David has recently obtained his Ohio Drivers License! He currently works from home as a Customer Service Representative. David is asking for financial help and support for purchasing a vehicle. After he secures a vehicle (Approximately $30,000) Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will modify the vehicle specifically for him (a $30,000 investment). He feels strongly that driving again will enrich his life and give him more independence. For example, where he lives there is no Public Bus Line. So he has to schedule transportation to pick him up. The Transit company only operates Monday through Friday and stops trips at 5PM. This means he can’t be transported anywhere after 5PM or on weekends. Having a vehicle of his own would allow him to be more active in his Recovery Program, religious services, and expand his employability. Often times the transportation company can’t fulfill trips to get him to medical appointments because of a lack of vehicles and time constraints. Having a vehicle would also make it possible for him to get to all of his medical appointments. Also, David has been practicing playing basketball while in therapy. One of his goals is to become a wheelchair basketball player. With a vehicle he would be able to get to practice and games. This would improve not only his physical health but also his social well-being. David lives about an hour away from his family. A vehicle would allow him to visit his family and friends. These are just some areas where he can see his life improving. Doing his own grocery shopping- going to the park- movies would all add to his independence and fullness of his life. Anything you are willing to contribute will be appreciated and used for the purpose of purchasing a vehicle. The goal is to purchase a 2022-2024 Toyota Sienna with less than 36,000 miles. All proceeds will be used for the purpose of purchasing an accessible van. David’s personal goal is to match the donations. Please, share this Fundraiser with your Family, Friends, and Colleagues. If you cannot contribute simply reading this and passing it on to others is greatly appreciated! Best wishes, and God Bless!