Help Paul Garant Get a New Van

This is Paul Garant.

A former Medical Device Quality Assurance Director/Consultant and volunteer firefighter, Paul has always treasured his independence.

In January 2011, his life and understanding of "independence" changed dramatically. He woke from surgery to discover that he was paralyzed from the waist down. A year of intensive treatment, rehabilitation and training followed. In the ensuing years, he has resumed working (as a substitute teacher) and serving his city as one of its five Fire Commissioners (a position he has filled for twenty years). He is also able to do his own shopping and take care of numerous daily errands.

He can do all this because he has two special pieces of equipment: his power chair and his modified van. The cost of his chair and related expenses (repairs, maintenance) are covered by his health insurance. His van is not. And now his independence is under threat because of recurring problems with his van.

Long story short: he needs a new van. He has had to make do with a 2008 model, purchased used in 2012. When any fifteen-year-old vehicle develops problems, as such vehicles tend to do, it's often difficult to find viable replacement parts. This problem is especially acute with modified vans. Last year, Paul was grounded for over a month while the search for a part dragged on. Recently, the door refused to open, leaving him trapped inside. Another stint in the shop followed, and it is now possible to open the door manually, which means he has to arrange for somebody to be on hand to let him in and out of the vehicle. So much for independence. Restoring the door to full operation depends on--you guessed it--locating parts.

The van is at best undependable and at worst dangerous.

Paul has recently received a generous donation which will cover most of the cost of a new van. He needs to raise an additional $30,000 to pay for the modifications--hand controls and a transfer seat. Until that money is available, he will be unable to recover his independence. Your contributions will make this possible. Thank you.