Patrick and his wheelchair need a new van

Meet Patrick.

At 37, he is a fun-loving, kind, and generous guy who enjoys visiting with friends and family, staying active outdoors, and  competing in marathons and triathlons. He’s also living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA)*, a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative disorder (similar to ALS) that forces him to use a wheelchair for mobility. He lives independently (with help from his service dog, Knight) and would like to continue to do so. That independence requires an expensive wheelchair van outfitted with a ramp and hand controls. Patrick’s current van (the Transformer), has seen better days, and a replacement that fits his needs will cost roughly $100,000. None of that cost is covered by insurance.

Here’s where you come in.

Patrick is prepared to take on some hefty loans to ensure he is able to continue living and working independently, but the limited income from part-time employment and disability restrict his options. With your support, we can lessen the financial burden for Patrick and help him to continue his independence.

No contribution is too small!

*What is FA?

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. About one in 50,000 people in the United States has Friedreich's ataxia. It is estimated there are 4,000 individuals affected with FA in the U.S., and 15,000 affected individuals worldwide. There is currently no known treatment or cure.

Visit http://curefa.org for more info.