Hello all - Many years ago I shared the story of an extraordinary young woman named Johileny Meran Almonte. I will share some links below to her story. Johileny was born with cerebral palsy. She lost her mother in 2010 to cancer. Throughout her entire high school career she was living in a homeless shelter yet against all odds she never missed a day of school and graduated as valedictorian of her class and went on to NYU on a full scholarship. While Johileny has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair and she has never let that slow her down (case in point all of the above).

While in college and since graduating, Johileny has dedicated her time to helping others working for various non-profits helping people with disabilities and promoting disability inclusive culture. She also championed a fundraiser last year to uplift Darvin, a young man with disabilities in under-resourced community in her native Dominican Republic. She helped raise money to improve Darvin’s quality of life by getting him an electric wheelchair and a ramp to the entrance of his house. She is my hero.

Now this hero needs our help. Our ability to move freely in life without worry is a luxury. It's a luxury for some that comes with a big price tag. Johileny needs a new wheelchair and has been spending months going through the proper channels with her insurance. The great news is the new chair has been approved and insurance will cover 80% of the cost. The hard reality is she needs to come up with the other 20% to get the chair.

Attached is an invoice that shows what insurance will not cover. Please note these aren't "bells and whistles" these are things Johileny needs to be able to get herself to work, to be able to travel/go home and see her family. This is someone who has lost so much but refuses to let it stop her. She is out there helping others every day and now she needs our help.

Please consider donating. No amount is too small. I cannot name a more deserving person who really could use this help right now.

Thank you!!

EXCLUSIVE: Homeless, wheelchair-bound Brooklyn teen graduates at top of class, is headed to NYU on scholarship

https://www.nydailynews.com/2015/06/21/exclusive-homeless-wheelchair-bound-brooklyn-teen-graduates-at-top-of-class-is-headed-to-nyu-on-scholarship/

trailer for documentary

https://www.facebook.com/CUNYTVPresents/videos/1056002009412027/