Help Ty get back on the road with an accessible vehicle!

UPDATE BELOW: March 2, 2025

MY STORY: February 11, 2025

Hi there, my name is Ty, and I’m 19 years old. I’ve lived with quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy my entire life, which means that I rely on a wheelchair to get around. For me, simple things like going to doctor appointments, school, or even just being able to hang out with my friends or family require a lot of planning, but one of the most important things I need to get around is an accessible vehicle.

For years, my mom has been driving me around in a 1994 modified Ford Econoline van, known as the "Mystery Machine"! That van has been so amazing, and super cool to haul me and my 4 sisters around! However, as an older vehicle, it’s finally reached the end of its life. It’s no longer running, and without it, I’m unable to get to the places I need to be, whether that’s medical appointments, school, or even just going on a family outing. My mom has been doing everything she can to get me around, but without a working van, it’s becoming impossible for us to continue our regular activities.

My FAVORITE thing to do, is go to school! As a 19 year old boy, you may think that's not true, but I promise it is!

My parents have had to keep me home from school a lot this winter, as my wheelchair accessible school bus won't take me in extreme cold (which we have seen a lot here in Saskatchewan!) due to safety reasons, and we understand that. But man, being at school is so much better than being at home - no offense Mom!

When mom and dad started looking into funding options, they started with one of Saskatchewan's biggest and well known organizations, Telemiracle! We tried this in the past, but unfortunately, our application wasn't successful. Now, we try again many years later, but we see that some of the steps have changed - the one that stands out the most, is the need for the applicant to initiate crowd funding, or set up self made fundraisers.

https://telemiracle.com/funding-info-application/

FAQ: Who can apply for funding?

The Kinsmen Foundation is a funder of last resort. If you are able to self-fund, crowd-source or have access to other funding programs, please utilize those first.

FAQ: Why does the Kinsmen Foundation fund organizations that do their own fundraising?

When someone receives a grant for travel expenses to access treatment far from home or for essential equipment, it can feel like a miracle for both the individual and their family. On the other hand, a donation to a healthcare facility or organization can positively impact hundreds of people across the province.

Although there is no guarantee that an individual like myself will be granted funding assistance in the end, we have to try! However, in order to even submit an application, we need to do this first, so here we are! Not where we expected to be, but never the less, we are.

The cost of an accessible vehicle is a huge financial burden, and while my family has done everything they can, it’s not enough. The money we raise will go directly toward purchasing a new, reliable van that can accommodate my wheelchair, provide a smooth ride, and allow us to get back to living life without restrictions.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will bring me one step closer to being able to get around again. I can’t do this without you, and I truly appreciate your time and support. If you can, please consider donating to help me get the accessible vehicle I need to live life to the fullest.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story, and for your kindness and generosity. Your support means the world to me and my family.

With gratitude,

Ty