Hi, my name is Mateo.

I’m a disabled trans man, a graduate student pursuing my Master’s in Social Work, and my dream is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My mission is to empower disabled and trans youth, helping them feel seen, valued, and supported.

Living with a disability, I’ve learned firsthand how oppressive and inaccessible society can be for the disabled community. Transportation is one of the biggest barriers I face. I use a power wheelchair due to limited strength in my legs and chronic pain, and getting around independently is a constant struggle. Public transportation has not only been unreliable but unsafe. I’ve been assaulted while trying to use it, which has forced me to rely on it only as a last resort. Ride-shares are extremely expensive, depending on them regularly is not financially sustainable, and relying on others for rides leaves me without the independence I need to live fully.

I’ve worked hard to prepare myself for independence. I have my driver’s license and a certification in using hand controls to drive. Taking those classes was expensive, costing me $300 a week for six months, but I made the investment because driving is essential to my future. Now the only thing standing in my way is having a wheelchair accessible van to actually use those skills.

Purchasing a wheelchair accessible van would finally give me the freedom and safety to get where I need to go, but the reality is that it is extremely expensive. Out-of-pocket costs are impossibly high, and the process itself is incredibly inaccessible. There are so many restrictions when it comes to adapting a van with hand controls. Dealerships force you to buy a brand new van that is no more than three years old, with limited mileage requirements, because they refuse to accommodate older vehicles. If I could, I would buy an older model to cut costs, but unfortunately, the dealerships make the entire process extremely inaccessible for people in wheelchairs. I’ve reached out to the state to ask about financial assistance, but I’ve received no clear answers, no resources, and no support.

On top of that, I was laid off from my job this past June. While this was a setback, I am now a full-time student completing my Master’s and dedicating myself to my internship three days a week. I am being sent to different locations to provide clinical mental health services for kids, and it is important that I’m able to show up for them consistently and on time.

Without reliable transportation, every day feels uncertain, and it limits my ability to give my best to the kids who depend on me. Having a van would also make it easier for me to find steady employment in the future, since reliable transportation is often one of the biggest barriers for disabled people in the job market.

This van would also allow me to better support my parents. They are older now, and having accessible transportation means I would finally be able to help them with appointments, errands, and everyday needs. Instead of relying only on them, I could give back to the people who have cared for me my entire life.

My dream is to make this world a better and more accessible place for disabled kids like me. I want them to grow up knowing that they are not defined by their limitations but by their possibilities. Having this van would not just change my life, it would help me keep moving forward toward that dream, so I can continue showing up for the kids I serve and the future I’m working to create.

Any contribution will make a life-changing difference. If you’re not able to donate, sharing my story means just as much. Thank you for helping me move toward freedom, stability, and the future I’m working so hard to build, not just for myself but for the next generation of disabled and trans kids.

With gratitude,

Mateo