Aiden has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive neuromuscular disease. As the disease progresses, muscle weakness spreads throughout the body, affecting breathing, heart function, and other organs. Symptoms typically begin around age two and include difficulty walking, running, or jumping; frequent falls; enlarged calves; weakness in the legs, hips, and shoulders; and difficulty getting up from the floor.

There is no cure for this disease.

As Aiden's mom, I have handled his care alone since he was diagnosed in 2018. I have watched him go from walking and go-karting and running around to falling and crawling down the hallway to get to his bed. I have driven him hours to his appointments. He sees a neurologist, a pulmonologist, an occupational therapist, a social worker, a case worker, a dietician, and a cardiologist. He's seen the ear, nose, and throat doctor, the endocrinologist, and the gastroenterologist. He's had sleep studies, X-rays, and ultrasounds. You name it, he's done it.

In 2019, it was determined that he needed a power wheelchair. Thank goodness insurance covered that. But then came the question of how we would go anywhere with it. I purchased a vehicle lift for the back of my vehicle for a couple thousand dollars, not knowing at the time that the wheelchair would weigh 400 pounds, and not understanding just how quickly Aiden would go from using the wheelchair every once in a while to using it all the time.

In July 2024, I unexpectedly lost my job, partially because I was the only person responsible for Aiden's care. When he had an appointment, I had to miss work. When he fell, I was the one who had to leave work. Since then, I have applied to over 300 jobs, gone on over 50 interviews, and taken over 45 exams. I know because I kept track. I finally received a job offer, but I haven't worked in 15 months, and I haven't officially started yet.

But as these things always go, now the lift on my vehicle has finally given out. It had a good run. It was never meant to do what it did. But with that, we are now in need of an accessible vehicle. Something that is really meant to get Aiden and his power wheelchair around. Something safe and reliable. I have applied for some grants. I will trade in my vehicle. But we need some assistance in making up the rest of the funds. Something to get him to his appointments. Something to allow him to get out of the house and get back to doing things with his family. Every little bit helps.

Aiden can't do much anymore. Going out is a blessing. Getting to his appointments is important. Please help. We can't tell you how incredibly grateful we would be for anything you can spare.