Andrew Cohen is my best friend and one of the most creative food people I know. For years, he built community through what he made—working as a chef and at a local winery, sharing food and wine with anyone lucky enough to cross his path. A short time ago, Andrew’s life changed overnight. Complications from diabetes led to the loss of both legs. He’s 63, and now he’s living in an ADU (a double-wide trailer) that’s physically separated from the main house. Their home is multilevel with multiple stair sets, so Andrew is effectively cut off from his wife and from everyday life. Right now, the barrier isn’t his motivation. It’s access. Andrew can’t safely move between the ADU and the house. He can’t get outside easily. He can’t return to work the way he used to. Medical bills are piling up, and the isolation is crushing.

This fundraiser is to pay for specific, practical upgrades that restore mobility and basic independence:

1) A motorized wheelchair—so Andrew can move safely and independently every day.
2) A ramp and safe access improvements—so he can enter/exit the ADU and connect to the main house without stairs being the gatekeeper.
3) An accessible deck / outdoor platform—a safe place to sit outside, get sunlight, see friends, and feel human again.
4) Groundwork for a small garden and outdoor cooking area—firm, accessible surfaces plus raised beds so Andrew can be outside with purpose—fruit trees, herbs, vegetables—and reconnect with the thing he’s always loved: food.

Every donation goes directly toward mobility equipment, materials, and construction. I’ll post updates as we purchase items and complete each step. If you can help—by donating or sharing—thank you. This is about giving Andrew a way to move, a way to connect, and a way back into his own life.