Hi! My name is Brae Adams, and I am writing this on behalf of my dearest friend, Katrina Hebb. I am one of many, many people that hold Katrina as dear to me. As you may already know, Katrina was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome back in 2018. Her ligaments and tendons are like stretched out rubber bands, which means that her spine and other important joints are unstable, making it very painful to walk much. A few years ago, Katrina was given an electric wheelchair to be the umph in her legs. Having an electric wheelchair has allowed her to go anywhere, no matter how good or bad she was feeling that day. Only, there is a complicating factor. Electric wheelchairs aren’t very portable! To use an electric wheelchair around town means that you need a vehicle that can haul it places-- like to work or the grocery store or the coffee shop.

Last year, Katrina was able to purchase a very old wheelchair accessible van with a ramp that allows her to wheel her electric wheelchair right up into the vehicle-- to be able to take it places. And this van changed her life! For the first time in many years, she was able to go to hospital and home visits, the post office, and public events on her own and without worrying about whether or not she was going to be in terrible pain when she came out. But this van is falling apart, and 3 mechanics have told her recently that she should not be driving it this winter because the van's frame is so rusted out. It’s just not going to hold together for much longer.

Unfortunately, like most disabled people, Katrina can't afford a newer, more reliable wheelchair accessible van. Brand new ones cost about $110,000! That is beyond most people’s reach but certainly more than she can afford on a half time pastor’s salary and disability. Thankfully, some of the amazing people from First Presbyterian Church in Potsdam learned that a NY state program will pay for the most expensive part of a new van-- the wheelchair accessible part. But to get this help, Katrina needs to provide them with a brand-new van, which is not something she can afford on her own.

This silver Toyota Sienna (pictured in photos) is the exact vehicle Katrina needs for ACCES-VR to install the wheelchair ramp. But the list price is more than $48,000 way more than Katrina can afford. This is where you come in. We are asking for help so that Katrina can have the mobility that she deserves. So that she can have the life that she deserves. So that she can continue to have a maximum impact in being an incredible light in this world!

Will you help? Any amount you can afford to give is greatly appreciated!