Help Mirian Gain Mobility with a Wheelchair Van

Story

Help Mirian Gain Mobility with a Wheelchair accessible van. This is Mirian, she’s an 11 yrs old with a condition called Ataxia Telangiectasia. A-T is a rare genetic condition that affects the function of the nervous system, immune system and several other body systems causing them to have a short life expectancy. Due to this condition Mirian lost her ability to walk when she was 10 yrs old. Mirian was recently provided with an electric wheelchair. While getting the electric wheelchair was a hurdle within itself, fighting the insurance and so on. There is another caveat, getting a vehicle that can load and transport the chair that is a few hundred pounds, safely. Even thought we were able to get her the wheelchair, she’s not able to use it outside of our home because it weights 360 pounds. We have tried to use the attach ramp, but it didn’t work due to the chairs weight. Our only option to provide Mirian the ability to have mobility freedom outside our house is by getting a wheelchair accessible van. Accessible vehicles are notoriously expensive whether is new or used and modifying a van or car will be the tune of $50,000 plus. Mirian is able to commute to school on her wheelchair, using an accessible school bus. However, if there is any emergencies that require us to pick her up from school (which is often). We would have to make her drive the wheelchair home for about 10 kilometers. Something that is not convenient if she’s felling ill, specially in this cold weather. We think we have found ourselves a van that will accommodate Mirian’s needs and facilitate her mobility on her new wheelchair. It is away less than the original price but we are still short. Any additional help, whether that be in donations or additional shares would be greatly appreciated. For more information about Mirian’s condition please visit the Ataxia Telangiectasia’s Children’s Project www.atcp.org Please check Mirian’s appearance in the Asbury Park Press below. https://www.app.com/story/news/local/helpinghands/2025/03/20/how-to-help-barnegat-girl-who-needs-wheelchair-accessible-van/82529090007/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1cVDXQHscmDx1GdGi7GK5JgM3toercvpHvXgpnevwjba3lSfcGRbaabJ4_aem_TyomlV_pSDgkOoZGSj0TlQ #LetsHelpMirian