Hello, my name is Andrea Mitcham. I am an Honorably Discharged United States Army Veteran and low-income single mother of 15 year old, Princess April, who was diagnosed at the age of 2 with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), type 2, a form of Muscular Dystrophy. This condition is a genetic disease that affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, causing progressive muscle weakness and wasting away of those muscles. Symptoms can vary from mild to disabling. This condition causes severe respiratory weakness, asthma and other breathing difficulties and affects swallowing. April has NEVER rolled over, crawled, sat up on her own from a laying position, pulled herself up to stand next to a chair, put on, taken off or tied her own shoes, taken a shower alone, dressed herself, combed or washed her own hair, taken down her own braids, or even wiped herself after using the restroom. She requires someone else to get her in/out of bed, put her in her wheelchair, on the toilet and in/out of the tub. I was told NOT to save for her to go to college, instead save for her funeral because they didn't expect her to live long enough achieve any of the milestones that most families with able-bodied children, including my oldest daughter, achieve.

I thank God every day for showing us that He has the last word. Princess April is now a 10th grader who plans to go to college majoring in Animation and Psychology and who should be taking driver's training with her peers. Our school district currently has a grant that provides this training, however, because April cannot physically transfer herself from her wheelchair without help, she cannot experience this milestone with her peers. If she had a wheelchair accessible van where she could drive her chair up to the steering wheel, she'd experience this life-changing opportunity along with the rest of the children her age.

We are reaching out for help during this incredibly challenging time. Recently we lost our wheelchair accessible van due to devastating flooding in the Michigan area. This van was not JUST transportation, it was April's independence, allowing caregivers and I to get her to medical appointments, school, sports clubs, church and stay connected with our community. Replacing a specialized vehicle like this is extremely costly, and insurance unfortunately doesn't cover the full expense. We're seeking your support to raise funds to purchase a "new to us" wheelchair accessible van.

Along with a wheelchair accessible minivan, April is is need of other costly therapeutic items we have applied for, however, insurance has denied, such as a hoyer lift, that helps us safely and comfortably transfer her from her bed to her wheelchair, wheelchair to bath chair, bath chair to tub and vice-versa.

She also needs a sit-to-stand standing frame that gives her body the feeling of standing, allowing her to put pressure on her hips, legs, ankles and feet. This device helps her to stretch her muscles, and digest her food better while allowing her to be at eye level with her peers while exercising, working on school assignments or just relaxing.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to helping April regain her mobility and independence. Whether or not you're able to contribute, please consider sharing our campaign with your personal AND professional networks. It would mean to world to us. Thank you in advance for your kindness, support and generosity.

Andrea and April