Help Get Lex An Accessible Vehicle
Hi friends!
My name is Sam and I am initiating this fundraiser to benefit my friend Lexi. Lexi has been a dear friend for the last year and if there is anyone who deserves a little help right now, it's her. Lexi is a hard worker. During the pandemic she was unable to work safely but she didn't let that stop her. She started a candle and wax company to help support her family, and also with a goal of getting an accessible vehicle. She poured her heart and soul into every single piece she made and her hard work beamed through. Recently, she's returned to work and has been relying on accessible public transportation. Unfortunately, Lexi has had several dangerous and unsafe experiences in these vehicles. As we know, the airlines have been slammed recently for their careless handling of wheelchairs. These issues runs further than just the airlines. Recently, Lexi was hurt and her chair was damaged by a careless driver, Lexi found little support from the company and was ultimately advised to find a lawyer. With an accessible vehicle, Lexi will be able to continue working and be in control of her surroundings. Thank you for considering a donation to this fundraiser!
FROM LEX;
"I’m Lexi, I’m 25 and I have been working since I was 19.
In order to even get and keep a job I needed to have transportation. With accessible vehicles being so expensive I chose to rely on the bus and train. I spent years checking bus schedules, being left at a stop when there was no space for my wheelchair on the bus, going blocks to miles out of my way because of inaccessible stops and streets, buses not stopping because they didn’t see me, getting caught in rain or late in the cold, and dealing with countless sketchy people.
Eventually as I continued working, job opportunities became further away and buses and trains were no longer an option. I was reminded that access paratransit exists in LA county. It is a ride share program which means I have to plan to be in the van as long as I would be on the bus or train - or so I thought.
To travel a distance that would typically take 30minutes, I have to plan 2 and half hours ahead. To go an hours distance has taken 4 hours. With my max time in the van being 6 hours with no food, no stops, no help to reposition, all after work while still needing to go home and get school work done and normal life things.
As of recently the ride service has become extremely unsafe. Drivers have neglected to strap my chair in correctly on multiple occasions. They have neglected to even put my seat belt on me and tried to lie to me about because I can’t physically turn to see if they’re telling the truth. This has resulted in physical injury and damage to my chair that they refuse to acknowledge or cover - they simply tell me to file a complaint and somebody will get back to me.
As ridiculous as it may seem I love my job. I love working and being out of the house even if just for a few hours. I spent my college years doing school from home because of lack of transportation and I don’t want to have to settle for working from home while I still have the ability and energy to physically go to work because I know this won’t last forever."
