Help Kathi Put Her Best Foot Forward

Hello, friends and neighbors! Kathi Jenkins needs some neighborly help.

If you know Kathi, you know she's deeply involved in the Vashon Island community and has been pretty much since she moved here in 1999, after retiring from a 25-year career at UPS. Kathi served for six years on the board of Vashon Center for the Arts (then Vashon Allied Arts), was a founding member of The DOVE Project, and served on the board for two years, too! Kathi was Head Trustee at Vashon Eagles and was even Vashon's Official Unofficial Honorary Mayor from 2013-2014! If you know Kathi, you also know she's a fiercely independent, self-determined person who takes care of business.

In August of 2021, Kathi had a stroke, or more likely, a series of three strokes. The last one left her unable to walk, eat, write, think clearly, or take care of herself.

Kathi has worked her tail off in rehab, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and that's paid off with tremendous gains. Unfortunately, her right leg is still not functioning well. She has about 10% of normal sensation, making most parts of daily life particularly challenging. She's moved from a wheelchair to getting around with a walker and a leg brace. She is learning to use a cane and trekking poles. Still, anything involving her legs is tricky -- which is pretty much everything -- everything from getting in and out of bed to washing dishes and showering. Worst of all, with such diminished use of her leg, Kathi cannot safely drive.

To be the independent and social person that she is, Kathi needs her car modified so she can drive safely. The certification process for the car modification is complete and cost $800. The cost for the car modifications will be between $3500 and $5000, as confirmed through Absolute Mobility, the company that will be doing the work on Kathi's car.

Being unable to drive has left Kathi isolated. She can't even take herself to the grocery store to grab a few items and see some neighbors' faces. It's left her frustrated, unable to get herself to doctor's appointments, and quite lonely.

Can you chip in to help Kathi modify her car? She has done so much for our community; it's beautiful to be able to lend a hand if you're able to help Kathi put her best foot forward!