Empower Eli and Kristen with a Wheelchair Van

Eli’s About Me video that he made with the help of his art therapist:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wsI0YGxdasxb4uGaP9j_U1DUQ2iqY2lz/view?usp=sharing

Help Eli Gain Independence with an Accessible Van

We are reaching out to ask for your support in helping Eli, an inspiring 11-year-old, gain the independence he deserves. Eli has mitochondrial disease, a condition that causes neuromuscular weakness and requires him to use a power wheelchair. His chair is not just a tool for mobility—it’s a lifeline that carries his ventilator, crucial for his health and safety. However, without a wheelchair-accessible van, Eli cannot fully experience the world around him, leaving him isolated from the activities and opportunities he loves.

Eli loves musical theater, birdwatching, and learning alongside his peers. He radiates joy and has an infectious enthusiasm that draws people in. Despite his challenges, he’s a resilient and passionate child who thrives on his newfound independence, which his power wheelchair has given him. But without the right transportation, Eli’s power chair—and the freedom it provides—remains at home, limiting his access to essential care, school, medical appointments, and community involvement.

The Struggles We Face

Right now, Eli’s family is renting a van just to get him to medical appointments in Cincinnati, which has already cost them $800 for one trip and $1155 for another - an expense they cannot sustain. Their current vehicle isn’t equipped to carry Eli’s power chair and ventilator, leaving them without a reliable long-term solution. This isn’t just an issue for Eli. His sister also has complex medical needs, requiring frequent therapy and specialist appointments. Currently, meeting her to these critical visits is incredibly difficult without accessible transportation that meets the needs of the entire family as Kristen is a single parent due to DV without local family supports. The van would also allow Eli to attend important events like his sister's choir concerts, which he loves, but often misses due to transportation barriers and the ability to stay connected to his church and community—something that's been out of reach for far too long.

Our Goal: A Wheelchair-Accessible Van for Eli

We are raising funds to purchase a pre-owned, low-mileage Chrysler Pacifica with a BraunAbility Xi wheelchair conversion. This van would allow Eli to travel safely, with his power chair and ventilator, and regain his independence. The total cost for the van with the conversion and attachment equipment for Elijah’s chair is approximately $60,000. This vehicle will provide Eli with the safe, reliable transportation he needs to access medical care, school, and community activities.

While we have explored other funding programs and resources, such as Lori’s Voice and the Kidz Needz van matching program, we are still in need of your help to make this crucial purchase. Every donation, no matter the size, will bring us closer to securing a safe, accessible van for Eli. Time is of the essence, and we need to act quickly to get Eli the freedom he deserves.

How You Can Help

Donate: Your donation, big or small, will directly contribute to our goal of purchasing the accessible van Eli needs to regain his mobility and independence.

Share: If you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser with your friends and family will make a huge difference.

Connect Us: If you know of any resources or organizations that could help, we would be grateful for your support in connecting us.

Additional Ways You Can Help

Beyond the van, we also face significant barriers in making our home fully accessible for Eli’s needs. We are in the process of planning substantial home modifications to accommodate Eli’s power wheelchair and ensure that he can safely and comfortably move throughout the house. However, the labor costs for these renovations are a major obstacle, and we would deeply appreciate any help with donated time or materials.

Here’s how you can contribute:

Donate Time or Expertise: If you or someone you know has experience with home modifications/renovations, especially for accessibility, we would be incredibly grateful for any volunteer labor.

Donate Materials: If you have access to or can donate materials such as ADA height toilets, ADA door operator, levered door handles, or other accessibility-related supplies, it would be a huge help in reducing costs.

Help Us Spread the Word: If you know local organizations, companies, or contractors who may be willing to assist with these home modifications, please connect us. Every bit of support brings us closer to creating a safe and accessible space for Eli.

Fundraising Goal: $62,000

This will cover the cost of a pre-owned Chrysler Pacifica with a BraunAbility conversion and the EZ-Lock attachment system that will securely transport Eli’s power chair.

Thank you for considering a donation to help us give Eli the freedom, independence, and opportunities he deserves. Your generosity will make a profound difference in his life—and in our family’s ability to remain connected and engaged with our community.

Your support means the world to Eli and our family. Thank you for helping us get one step closer to making this dream a reality!

This fund was created by Erin to help this family with the direct purchase of a necessary accessible vehicle. All funds raised will be used for medical necessities and related expenses, with payments made directly to the appropriate vendors or placed in a protected fund. To safeguard Eli’s Medicaid eligibility, the family will not have direct access to the funds. In the event that additional funds are raised beyond the immediate vehicle need, they may also be used for essential expenses such as vehicle maintenance or home modifications to support Eli's ongoing care and accessibility. If applicable, funds may be managed within a Special Needs Trust or Able account, with a designated trustee overseeing their appropriate use.