Help Shanika Bailey Regain Her Independence

Hello, my name is Shanika Bailey. I'm 45 and I have three children - 1 girl and two boys. I was in an accident in August of 2012 that changed my life forever. I am now a paraplegic trying to navigate this new life I have. I live in Michigan and my family lives in Indiana. I don't get to see them much because of transportation issues.

I've been trying for a couple of years now to get a handicap accessible vehicle so I can be able to travel back and forth to see my family and children. My youngest son just graduated this year and I almost didn't make it because of transportation, but by the grace of God, he made a way for me to make it happen. It's hard for my family to get to me or come get me because they all have cars that aren't either big enough for my wheelchair and all my stuff, or I can't transfer into their car.

As a result of this, I have missed out on so many events and family functions. My nieces and nephews barely know me. What hurts me the most is when I couldn't be by my Grandma's side or see her before she passed. Then on top of that, she was asking for me and I couldn't be there or go to her funeral because I didn't have any transportation to get home to be there. I've had so many close relatives that have passed away and I wasn't able to be there.

I just want to be able to travel and see my family, take my kids on outings without having to rely or worry about how I'm going to get there. Or have to worry about somebody dropping me trying to get me in a car. Before this accident, I was very independent. I worked and took care of my children and never asked anyone for help. I was raised to do the best with whatever I have. It takes a lot for me to ask for help, I think that's why it's taken me three years to set my pride to the side and make this GoFundMe.

I'm just trying to get some kind of normalcy back in my life and show my kids that this wheelchair is not stopping anything. I'm still me, I just can't walk. I just want to show my kids that we can still do things as a family and be able to drive them myself to do whatever it is they want to do. The number one thing, the most important thing that I want to be able to do is get to my kids and my mom when they call or need me to be by their side because they are my life. So whatever you can do, small or big, will be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.