Handicap-Accessible Van for Sumaya

Handicap Accessible Van For Sumaya

I’m a teacher at Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI, and this campaign is to try to help a 20-year-old student and her family get a handicap-accessible van. Sumaya is beloved by so many within our school and within our community. Sumaya was born with Multiple Congenital Anomalies and Scoliosis. She was born with one arm, and two feet but with partial legs for both. She also has an undersized torso and a curved spine. The only limb that has full functionality is her left arm and hand. Even with all of the above ailments, she is one of the happiest and most driven students I have had in my 22 years of teaching.

Sumaya and her family immigrated from overseas roughly 5 years ago. She began school not being able to speak, read, or write in English. Within a few months, she learned to socialize with her pairs in English. Within a year she began reading and writing in English as well. On Sumaya’s first day of school, she was asked by an aide if she needed to use the restroom and her reply was, “I came here to learn, not use the bathroom.” She maintained that attitude for the next few years, and because of her hard work, spirit, and dedication, she was able to graduate on January 20, 2023! Her next goal is her citizenship test and then college.

Sumaya has an incredible support system in her family. They work hard to provide her with everything she needs. Unfortunately, regardless of their desire, there are things they can’t afford. Her home is not handicap accessible so she has to “scoot” around the house when someone isn’t able to carry her. They also don’t have a handicap-accessible vehicle. Outside of coming to school on a district school bus, on the few occasions, she leaves her house, she is carried into the car and is forced to use a manual wheelchair that she is not able to maneuver. She has to depend on others for her every move. She often has to skip weddings and other formal gatherings. If you know Sumaya, you would know how hard it is for her to ask for help or rely on someone else. Not having a handicapped-accessible vehicle is also preventing Sumaya from moving forward with her education. Although she has qualified for public transportation, a handicap-accessible vehicle is not currently available and they have no idea when it will be. Additionally, because it is public transportation, it is not going to be consistent or dependable. She has gone from being in school with teachers and students that love her and love socializing with her to sitting at home waiting and hoping for transportation to soon be available.

Please help our Fordson family raise enough money to buy the family a working wheelchair-accessible van. Help us provide Sumaya with the tools necessary to accomplish her many goals in life. With all of her disabilities, you will NEVER hear Sumaya complain or ask for the easy way out. Let’s help Sumaya conquer the world!

All funds collected will go towards purchasing this van.

Sumaya's face was blurred out of respect for the family's beliefs.