Help Lee Ky Purchase a Converted Wheelchair Van

Summary:

Our team is raising funds so that our friend, Lee Ky, a wheelchair user, can have safe, reliable transportation once again. Lee’s 20-year-old converted Ford Windstar was totalled in the accident, as you can see, and she received only a tiny amount from her insurance company because of the van's age. Her specialized driving equipment which enables her to control the vehicle solely with her upper body was unfortunately not part of the policy's coverage at all. The accident happened as a result of the aging specialized equipment getting stuck in the accelerate mode and the braking system did not respond.

Lee would love to be able to go on outings in her power chair having a friend or family member drive her. I know if I had the physical limitations she has I would definitely want to have as much independence as possible - and her power wheelchair is what gives her that freedom. However, the cost of a newer converted van, will be approximately $85,000. All money raised will go directly toward the purchase of a converted van that could accommodate Lee's power chair. At this point in time, Lee is not planning to modify the van - only to ride in it with friends or family.

If you are considering a donation, thank you so much for your gift of any amount toward giving Lee transportation again. Your gift is so appreciated by our team and by Lee. Please share the link anywhere and everywhere to help our campaign. Please keep in mind that every donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.

For Lee's complete story, keep reading!

Here is a video of her situation prior to the accident:

Lee’s Story: Life in Cambodia, Fleeing the Khmer Rouge, School in the States, Mobility Expo, Driver’s License, Hopes for the Future, Lee’s Vehicle History, Past Problems with her Vehicle, Price Breakdown of Adaptive Equipment

Link to Article in the Mid Valley Times: Article in the Mid-Valley Times

Life in Cambodia

Lee was born in a small village in Cambodia with a condition that rendered her unable to walk and develop normally. She had no life and no schooling, going out only for doctors’ appointments in a rough, handcrafted wheelchair made by her Grandfather.

Fleeing the Khmer Rouge

Lee’s Chinese-born parents were a hard-working, middle class couple, running a rice mill in the midst of the Cambodian Civil War. With the commencement of the Khmer Rouge government in 1975, life became increasingly difficult and unsafe. Lee lived with her aunt and grandparents since, because of their economic status, both parents were now on the run.

Lee’s father finally escaped to Thailand and found a way to rescue the rest of his family. Lee vividly remembers being carried on his back for many days through the jungle and minefields to get to a Thai refugee camp, her family’s home for 3 months. Fortunately, her father knew a high-ranking military leader friend who was already settled in the states. He gave them specific directions to secure the family’s move to the US in 1979, sponsored by the Pickett family from Texas.

School in the States

Lee promptly enrolled in school and began learning English. One year later, in 1980, the family moved to Stockton, and her physician there referred her to the San Francisco children's hospital for extensive medical testing. Her physical limitations were now given a name: Cerebral Palsy. Soon after, she received her first power wheelchair, giving her the most ease and speed of movement she had ever experienced.

Lee’s father and mother now began to work sewing clothes, and eventually learned how to bake and run a business. They opened their first donut shop in Stockton, then shortly after purchased a former Dairy Delite shop in Reedley, California, and named it Doughnuts to Go.

Mobility Expo

Lee’s homeroom teacher in high school took her to a mobility exposition show in San Francisco. Seeing a converted vehicle, and how it could be driven completely by her upper body, gave her a new goal to achieve: obtaining a set of wheels and learning to drive! She told her parents of her dream, but in their minds the possibility of Lee driving was unthinkable.

Driver’s License

After graduating high school at the age of 23, Lee began attending San Joaquin Delta College. When her family relocated to Fresno County, she took classes at Reedley College. She was then 29 and her parents had finally warmed up to the idea and importance of Lee becoming a driver, and they were able to obtain a loan for her first wheelchair van. With some coaching from a friend, within 30 days she had her driver’s license.

Now she could attend National University, and there received a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, followed by a Masters in Rehab Counseling from Fresno State. She worked as a counselor at the Fresno Center for Independent Living for 9 years, then resigned to care for her son. For the last six years, Lee has been helping her family at the donut shop whenever she can, especially with documents and paperwork (computer work).

Hopes for the Future

Lee would like to work again, however, due to her physical limitations, the unfortunate reality is that it is difficult to find work. In the near future she would like to do consulting for churches or businesses advising them on the accessibility of their facilities.

Lee’s Vehicle History

Van #1 - Dodge Caravan - had lots of mechanical problems, $50,000 to have it converted

Van #2 - Dodge Caravan - transferred driving equipment

Van #3 - Ford Windstar (totaled) - purchased from a dealer, had it modified, transferred the driving equipment again from van #1

**The adaptive driving equipment was 28 years old at the time of the accident, having been installed in three different vehicles.

Problems with her vehicle (Prior to the accident):

~Her specially adapted rack and pinion was leaking and would cost $10,000 to replace

~The power folding ramp often did not function correctly, either getting stuck open or closed so she would ask strangers to help her quite often when she was out

~The remote control for the ramp was not working well, again leaving her stuck at times

~The driving system was often beeping and causing an alarm to go off saying that it was not functioning correctly - this is a big safety issue

~The braking system had failed more than once

~The van had needed towing 4 or 5 times in the last 2 years

~She had to carry transmission, power steering and brake fluids with her at all times

Summary (from an actual quote done several years ago for a Used Honda Odyssey with 10,000 miles on it)

Chassis - $41,092

Conversion - $35,898

FUNDRAISING GOAL: $85,000

I (Christa) first met Lee at church, and one of the first things I noticed about her was her friendliness. I quickly learned that she never complains or demands, but keeps a positive attitude in spite of her situation. One day over lunch she told me about her van and the prohibitive cost situation of a newer vehicle, so I made calls to find out if there were organizations that would provide monetary help for a cause like hers - and finding none, I pursued the GoFundMe option.

Thank you so much for your donation of any amount to help Lee purchase a modified wheelchair van!! Your gift is so appreciated by our team and by Lee. Please share the link anywhere and everywhere to help our campaign. Please keep in mind that every donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.