Get Sam on the Road

My name is Sam Scribner and five years ago I broke my C5 vertebrae leaving me paralyzed from my chest down. After being injured I had to find a new career path and found photography & videography. I attended a digital cinema production program in the Orlando area to better my knowledge of the fundamentals of storytelling with a camera. Since then I've been fortunate enough to work on a few projects very dear to my heart & create work I'm very proud of. 

Just recently my hard work paid off, I was hired by a local production company to help with editing, photography, videography & aerial imagery. A few months ago I was able to complete my drivers training with the adaptive hand controls and modifications I need to operate a vehicle. The next step in the process is for me to purchase a vehicle so that the state can pay the roughly $100,000 to modify a vehicle for me. This is through a program called Vocational Rehab which specializes in getting individuals living with disability back to work. Because the modifications are so expensive, the state requires the vehicle I purchase to be brand new.

So many things are taken into account when finding the appropriate vehicle for anyone, but with a disability your options are narrowed. With my options being either a lowered minivan or a Sprinter van, I am hoping to get a short wheelbase, low roof, 4x4 Sprinter van. The clearance will give me the ability to comfortably drive on the beach here in my hometown of New Smyrna Beach. The 4x4 would give me the comfortability of knowing I can travel off the beaten path and not get stuck, where most people can hop out and dig themselves out, I don't have that luxury. Lastly, the extra space would be able to house studio equipment needed for work & other chairs needed to accommodate for different terrains. I would love to get into a Ford Transit or a Ram Pro Master, but due to the way that they are laid out & the type of modifications I would need, they sadly are not a candidate for me. I'm hoping to get a vehicle that will not hinder my ability to create what I know I'm capable of. 

I have some money that I have set aside from previous fundraisers for this expense & I also have a handicap accessible vehicle, that I cannot drive, I will be trading in to hopefully get some more money towards my goal. I know that this is a large amount to be asking for, but I want to be able to grow with this vehicle. So much of my life for the past five years has been depending on others and this is finally a giant step I can take toward more independence. I will be able to drive myself to work, and hopefully provide for my future family. 

The sooner I can pull the trigger on a vehicle the sooner I can get to work. I believe we are going to be shooting testimonials up and down the East Coast of Florida this summer. I know things don't happen overnight when state agencies are involved, however that doesn't mean I should be complacent and wait for them to make the move.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to everyone that got me where I am today.
Thank you for helping me continue to achieve my goals.