Help Sophia with an Accessible Van

Hi, my name is Sandi,

 

Last February, my close friend, Naheda & her younger daughter, Stephanie, were involved in an automobile accident and the accessible van the family owned was totaled. Naheda had been struggling with finances after being laid off from work during COVID. This van was the lifeline to her oldest daughter, Sophia's, mobility.

 

I have been friends with this incredible Jablonski Family for over 15 years. Today, Sophia is 21 and currently finishing her associates degree at Moraine Valley Community College. This is a wonderful accomplishment for a young lady who has leaped over many hurdles in her life. One being that she was born with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Although, I do believe this has never held her back. Stephanie, a Dean’s List Student, is a sophomore at DePaul University.

 

Even thou Naheda has had back surgery and struggles with pain, she does her best to make sure Sophia does not miss anything in her routine. Daily, Naheda lifts Sophia into a non-accessible vehicle leaving the extremely heavy motorized wheelchair home. The funds being raised will help provide Sophia's family with a used accessible vehicle.

 

This is where you can assist, we need your HELP to fund a used accessible vehicle. Please consider donating and/or forwarding this request to at least five family members or friends. As you read on, you will see this is a well deserving family.

 

Sophia was miracle baby, the lone surviving triplet weighing 1 pound 5 ounces at 25 weeks old. Her parents gave all their love to her after losing her two siblings. This family overcame many challenges during Sophia's childhood including many trips to the hospital for surgeries, medical visits including many hours of therapies at The Center of Independence in Countryside, the hospital and during school. Therapy is a large part of Sophia's life currently as well.

 

Soon after Sophia’s second birthday, along came Stephanie. The sisters are incredible friends to this day. I met Naheda and her family in 2006, she and I also became great friends. Naheda is one of the busiest Mom I know, managing both girls’ schoolwork and extracurricular activities. They were even blessed to have their grandmother living with them until she passed in 2012. This was a defining year for this family, not only did Naheda loose her mom, later that year her husband, a Vietnam Veteran, lost his battle with cancer. That same exact day, her mother-in-law also passed.

 

In all the years I have known Naheda, Sophia & Stephanie they have remained strong, bonded, and determined to live life to the fullest. Both young ladies have been very involved and accomplished. Sophia was 11 when she was chosen to perform with the Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”. Also, as the only cheerleader in a wheelchair, Sophia cheered on her Central Middle School Basketball team with pride. During Junior/Senior year at Carl Sandburg High School, Sophia was one the first bowlers in the history of the IHSA to qualify and place 1st in the wheelchair division during the state tournament, bringing awareness to wheelchair bowling. Stephanie helped as a buddy for Sophia and they both played baseball with the Miracle League of Joliet. Sophia is an inspiration and together Sophia and Ms. Mariann K. started a class for special needs kids to dance, with the Homer Glen Dance Studio. Together Sophia & Stephanie enjoyed Girls Scouts, music lessons with The House of Music and performing in their band "Robotic Rock" at local showcases.

 

All of this was possible because of Naheda and her perseverance. Sophia is in need of a van and Naheda deserves an opportunity to provide one. I really appreciate your time and I know that this will make three resilient ladies’ lives much improved.