Help Me Keep Moving Forward: Adaptive Car Fund

Hi everyone,

My name is Liz, and I’m reaching out for support after a major setback that threatens to undo a year’s worth of hard-won progress. On June 11th, I was in a serious car accident on my way to work. Thankfully, the other driver was okay and I walked away with just a few bumps and bruises — but my wheelchair-accessible van was totaled.

This wasn’t just any car — it had hand controls and a ramp, which allowed me to drive independently. It was a lifeline. Insurance is refusing to cover the adaptive equipment that was built into the van, leaving me with a payout that barely covers the loan. I’m now left without transportation and without the tools I need to safely drive.

Here’s the part that’s really hard: I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am. I became disabled at 20 and have been through multiple surgeries, long hospital stays, and in 2023, I was told I wouldn’t survive. I entered hospice care in May of 2023 and remained there until November. But somehow — I lived. And I’ve been fighting ever since to rebuild my life.

In 2024, I got on TPN (IV nutrition) and slowly began getting stronger. I stopped using my power chair in January and transitioned to a manual one. By August 2024, I was finally well enough to return to work as a special education teacher — my dream job. I even moved into my own place this past April and started doing stand-up comedy on the side (I was a finalist in a major “New Comic of the Year” contest in Baltimore!). The amount of progress I’ve made in a year is honestly wild — and it’s not something I take for granted.

Now, I’m facing a financial wall. I’ve found a more affordable car that fits my current needs — I don’t need a van anymore — but it still needs hand controls and other adaptive driving supports installed, and I need a down payment.

To make things more complicated, I’ve been stuck without a car for weeks. I tried to rent a vehicle with hand controls through Hertz — they offer that service on paper — but they failed to provide it, even after multiple attempts. This has made it impossible to get to work, therapy, and appointments.

I’m not someone who asks for help lightly, but I can’t afford to lose all the progress I’ve fought for this past year. I’m so close to having the life I dreamed of, and I just need this last piece to keep moving forward.

Any contribution — no matter the size — would mean the world. If you can’t donate, sharing this with others would help a ton.

Thank you for reading and for believing in second chances. I’m trying to make the most of mine.

With gratitude,

Liz