Hi. My name is Laticia Jones, and I am raising funds to purchase a modified, wheelchair accessible vehicle. On, February 5, 2012, I was in a horrific car accident. I was diagnosed with a brain and spinal cord injury. I had to learn how to do everything all over again, including talking, brushing my teeth, eating,standing, training my bladder and bowels, bathing myself, dressing myself, etc. It is very important to me to become as independent as possible. Being disabled has changed my life drastically, but I refuse to give up. While being confined to a wheelchair, I’ve graduated college, worked, had two of my own places, and raised a child. There’s been times when my daughter wanted to participate in sports, but she couldn’t due to the fact that I couldn’t drive her to and from the practices and games. Everyday I think about how I have a driver’s license, but can’t drive. I miss out on family gatherings, road trips, and sometimes doctor appointments because I have to rely on my caregiver to drive me around. She’s only with me eight hours a day, and it’s not her job to take me to certain places. I’m still young, and have my whole life ahead of me. I don’t like to feel left out when everyone else is enjoying their lives. Every year, I set different goals and achieve them. After taking physical therapy, I mastered how to do multiple things for myself. Those things included getting in and out of bed on my own, cooking, bathing and dressing myself, doing my makeup, transferring, shaving, etc. Although these things may seem simple to many, they’re challenging for me. My hands lost full functionality, which caused me to have to get things done in a different type of way. Driving is the last thing on my goal list. In order for me to drive again, I have to first take the driving test at The Shepherd Center. Then I have to purchase a modified wheelchair van. Raising this $12,000 would play a big part in helping me purchase a vehicle. The van would have a ramp for me to enter and exit the vehicle, switches for me to control the ramp, a spin wheel for the steering wheel, and also hand controls for me to drive. I’ve looked into purchasing a wheelchair van, and the prices are outrageous. With that being said, this fundraiser would be very beneficial to make this happen. Driving again is one of my fears, but I must overcome it. I would like to keep inspiring others and showing them that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Please help me drive again. No donation is too big or too small. Thanks.