Help Josh get a new handicap accessable van

Hello Everyone, we want you to meet our good friend Josh. All of us have known him since we became good friends in Junior High and High School years. Some of us have played adaptive sports with him, others met him through mutual friends, but all of us have had the pleasure of a lifelong friendship that began when we were teenagers.

 

 

 

 

Josh (along with his brother Matt) was born with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic muscular disorder that causes progressive weakness and muscle breakdown over time. Most people who have this disorder live into their 20s and 30s, however Josh has defied those odds and has lived into his 40s.

 

Josh was always loved and cared for by his family. As a group of friends we would often times get together at Josh's house and enjoy the good times with each other and his family. His dad (Dave) and mom (Eileen) felt like second parents to many of us. We would join them on dinners out, Twins baseball games, and even vacations together.

 

 

 

 

Josh's dad always wanted Josh to live his life to the fullest and overcome the obstacles that he would face. He was Josh's biggest supporter and do anything to help his son out. Dave passed away unexpectedly in 2012 at the age of 50, and Josh decided to honor his dad's vision for his life. Josh decided to live independently as an adult and venture out to set his own path in life.

 

 

 

 

 

Josh has lived independently for the past 8 years. He has found a handicap accessable apartment, hired PCAs to assist him, and has lived the life that his dad always wanted him to live. One of the key parts to Josh's freedom is his ability to be mobile. He had purchased a converted 2003 Chrysler minivan that allowed him to see his friends, go out to dinner and dates, and enjoy his life. However now his "old reliable" minivan has not become so reliable. It is becoming hazardous to drive and a safety concern for Josh. Recently Josh was named the coach of the adapted sports team for the Osseo School District and needs to be able to have reliable transportation, especially with winter soon approaching.

 

 

 

We are starting this fundraiser so that Josh can aquire a new minivan that can allow him to keep his independence and the life that he enjoys. We are looking to get a late model minivan, but it will need the modifications to adapt for his wheelchair. Josh does get some assistance through his disability waiver but not enough to cover the cost of the minivan.

 

Please consider donating to our cause and help Josh keep safe and maintain his life of independence .