Kevin Clair, my brother, has ALS—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. After several years of seeking a definitive diagnosis for his progressive weakness, he was finally diagnosed in 2024. His disease has now progressed to the point where he has only limited use of his hands, and even less use of his legs. He can no longer walk, and has to be transported by wheelchair. He has fractured several toes and his ankle due to falls. His wife and daughters have been trying to transfer him but it is becoming increasingly difficult to do this on their own. They are no longer able to transfer him in and out of vehicles. They are blessed to have the help of friends who take him to doctor appointments, but his disease has advanced to the point where they desperately need a wheelchair van and a garage wheelchair lift that will help them to safely get him in and out of the house and to medical appointments. It will also allow him to return to church and hopefully enjoy outside excursions with friends and family.

The ALS foundation estimates that the out-of-pocket costs for an ALS patient are significant each year. This disease is overwhelming for many reasons, most of all for what Kevin is enduring, as well as his family who loves him dearly. It is especially overwhelming due to the financial impact of the many uncovered expenses on their family. They have had to significantly remodel their home to accommodate a wheelchair and allow Kevin to move around on only one floor. Now they desperately need the van for safe mobility outside their home. There are very stringent requirements for adapting vans for wheelchair use, and the necessary adaptations shorten the life of the van, and make them very expensive.

Kevin and his family would greatly appreciate if you would consider helping them by donating towards the purchase of a used wheelchair van and being part of their journey as they try to give Kevin a better quality of life.