Help Ashley Regain Her Independence

#AccessibleVanForAshley

This crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $55,000 within a duration of 2 months to be used to help my dear friend Ashley purchase a new wheelchair accessible van. The idea of leaving the house to get groceries could be so accessible to some, but to Ashley right now, it is so far from reach. She is a very independent and driven person who despises relying on others or asking for help; however her current situation of her deteriorated current accessible vehicle she is no longer able to drive herself, making it incredibly challenging for her to even leave her yard. With so many barriers to her current sense of independence, I am seeking the support of generous donors on her behalf, to regain her ability to navigate her community and life more easily. Your contribution to this campaign will make a significant impact on Ashley's life, allowing her to participate in social activities, attend medical appointments, and pursue her personal dreams. The goal amount will go towards the cost of the van, necessary modifications, and additional expenses associated with the purchase. With your support, we can help Ashley overcome mobility challenges and empower her to once again live a more fulfilling and independent life that most take for granted.

Lets help her continue her amazing life adventures by hopefully alleviating just some of her everyday life burdens as someone trying to thrive and inspire as a person with a disability in a world that is very inaccessible.

Any contribution we can provide her would be greatly appreciated. Due to her current accessible van breaking down and living in a remote location her options are limited to an accessible cab from her home to Grand Falls - Windsor that costs $180 for a round trip.

Summary of expense to fundraise for:

Overall cost associated with vehicle purchase = $122,285

Vehicle costs: $50,600

Cost of accessible conversion: $67,985 (in-floor automatic ramp, hand controls, etc)

Fly up to Toronto to be fitted & drive vehicle back to Newfoundland: approx $2,500

Winter Tires: approx $1,200

Quoted Auto Insurance ($120k vehicle): $3,000

With interest rates being high at the moment, it’s challenging to finance vehicles with the necessary conversions.

Extra medical expense - Permobil M5 Powerchair: $7,000 out of pocket ($35,000 overall cost)

Ashley has applied for the Newfoundland Accessible Vehicle funding to help go towards the conversion, but that is not guaranteed and is in very high demand and her work benefits do not cover accessible vehicle costs

I met Ashley through Women in Science and Engineering at Memorial University of Newfoundland. In my early years she became a most valuable mentor, inspirational on a professional and personal level. Through our friendship she has been a guide for navigating the balance between my wellbeing, health and career ambitions. Her tenacity radiates through her work. Setting up this fundraising initiative for her, is my hope to give Ashley the opportunity to continue shining in this world. Where she brings light and strength to those around her.

Ashley was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis when she was just 2 years old. She has required a wheelchair fulltime since she was young and is unable to move a manual chair, therefore requires a very heavy (350lbs) power wheelchair to move around. Due to this, she is unable to get in other non-accessible vehicles as the heavy chair cannot be lifted or broken down.

Ashley worked very passionately to buy her first accessible van that she could drive herself and got her drivers license in 2013, against all odds and many obstacles - both physical and financial. However that van is now old, rusted, and very unreliable with electrical issues. The ramp is now broken and she can no longer drive her own vehicle, having to rely on her Mother to manually get in the van. The current van is now only being used for medical appointments and very limited use. When this van fully breaks down she is entirely stranded at her house, considering how expensive it is to book an accessible cab to get to neighboring communities.

The timing of purchasing a new van this year is very challenging, initially her budget was completely focused on updating her powerchair. Electric power chairs are recommended to be replaced every five years, her current one has been in use for 9 years, with the only delay to replace it being financial challenges.. Both the expenses of the powerchair and the vehicle have changed Ashely’s life by adding more challenges, financial burdens and challenges to accessing proper medical care.

More about who Ashley is to our community:

She worked hard to achieve 2 University Undergraduate degrees and most of an Engineering Masters degree in the face of extreme physical challenges before accepting a fulltime job with the Department of National Defence (DND). She is a trailblazer who was the first person in a wheelchair to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics or a Bachelor of Engineering at Memorial University. Between degrees she required the full replacement of both hips & knees in her mid-20s.

Ashley is a strong advocate for the disabled community and volunteers with many organizations that help support others such as Women in Science in Engineering and as the Ottawa chapter civilian co-chair for the DND Defence Advisory Group for Persons With Disabilities. She uses and shares her life experiences to encourage and help others. Ashley was also awarded the NLOWE (Newfoundland & Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs) Trailblazer Award in 2020 as a co-founder of a former tech startup entrepreneur attempt – in this video you can see how she amazingly is able to drive independently with all her limitations Ashley Sullivan - 2020 Trailblazer Award

Ashley Training Her Dog Juno