Help paralyzed veteran return to work

I have a friend named Joe! We have been friends since junior high and throughout high school. Joe’s life after high school got very complicated. THE PAST: He served his country honorably during six years of active duty in the US Army. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to civilian life and pursued a college degree at Portland State University. He took on a part time job as a security guard to help work his way through school. One evening while working security at a local nightclub, a man pulled out a gun and began firing into the club. Joe was shot multiple times attempting to disarm the gunman and the injuries he sustained caused complete paralysis from his waist down. Joe’s girlfriend at the time, was attending the event and was killed. Joe has had a lot to work through over the years, with counseling and ongoing physical therapy provided by Seattle and Portland VA Medical Centers. He receives no pension from the military as his injuries occurred after his active duty and does not receive any compensation from the company he worked for at the time of his injuries. Life has been challenging ever since that day for him.

THE NOW: A few times over the past month, I have joined Joe on his daily “push” at the park behind his apartment. I walk alongside while he pushes himself in his wheelchair – 5 miles! He does this every day. Rain or shine. Joe talks about getting back out into the world and finding meaningful work again. He talks about finding a position as a Job Coach so he can help other people with disabilities find employment. To be able to have a rewarding job isn’t just about financial stability. It can be the one thing that connects a person to the world.

GREAT NEWS! Within a week of our conversation, Joe found a position, had an interview, and has been offered a unique opportunity as a Job Coach. This is exactly what he wanted and a job he has done before. He is confident and excited. So…. here’s the challenge. He needs to have a reliable car/truck with adaptive hand controls. His new employer is willing to create a job that fits around Joe’s needs and is willing to wait until he can secure transportation. The job will require him to have his own vehicle to travel to various work sites each day. For this reason, taking public transportation won’t allow him the flexibility to come and go from job sites.

NOW WHAT? I’m setting up this “GoFundMe” on Joe’s behalf. He is a very humble person who has the desire to work. He needs a reliable car/truck that can be adapted with hand controls. It is possible that DVR (State Vocational Rehab) will pay for these hand controls, however these need to be paid up front with only the possibility of reimbursement if eligible. Joe has been working on saving the money for a vehicle, however there are so many other costs that he will incur (license, registration, insurance, maintenance, adaptions) in addition to just buying the car. The goal is $10,000.00. I’m hoping that our Coos Bay (GO PIRATES) community as well as our local communities will be willing to help. He is very appreciative of any consideration and is hopeful this job opportunity can happen. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Much Love! Melinda Auer-Palmer