Wheels for Michael & Joe Joe
Donation protected
I want to first thank God, my source of strength, salvation, and serenity. I want to also thank my parents, who have given up almost everything to care for me during this very difficult phase of my life.
Hello all!! My name is Michael. One day in July, 2003 I was involved in a car accident resulting in my current physical condition and classification as a Quadriplegic, level of spinal injury C3-C4. Being paralyzed means that I need assistance with everything. I no longer have my independence with physical activity, the freedom to do as I please when I please. Learning to adjust to this new life was very difficult for me as well as for my family. While the past 17 years have been a rough and rocky road, laden with lengthy hospital stays, periods of depression and constant UTI’s (UGH! Don’t even get me started.), it has also been full of happiness, joy, and achieving milestones. I’ve seen my sister get married, and was there to see both of my children walk across the stage to graduated and move on to college life. I have also attended college, become a graphics designer, and, after not being sure if I would live to see thirty, I am blessed to say that I’ve recently celebrated my 40th birthday! WAHOO!! Being able to attend all of these wonderful moments has been a joy, but so very expensive in the form of van rental cost.
WILD ADVENTURES AND MOVING FORWARD
Not having adequate, reliable transportation has led to some of the most frustrating moments of my life. To keep my sanity, I like to call these moments “wild adventures”.
Have you ever got all dressed up to go on a date with a hot girl, only to get left at the restaurant by the state run transportation service…all night long?
Well I have.
When I lived in Clarksville, Tennessee, my fiancé and I, were left at a Cheddar’s Restaurant. We were supposed to be picked up at 6pm, but there was some kind of accident and the service center forgot about our pickup time. After not getting through to the transportation service, we called the 911, the police (who thought we were joking), an emergency transportation company, and the local bus stations. No help. Finally, around 2am, the bar tender of the restaurant called back to say she finally contacted her brother, who called his best friend, who was the brother-in-law of the manager of the Clarksville Paratransit Service Center and he came out to pick us up, still in his PJs. (There’s more to that story, but I can’t write all that here.) When I moved to Georgia, the “wild adventures” just kept on coming. Again, with the assistance of the state run transportation service, I’ve missed doctor’s appointments because either the service’s van broke down or because my full sized electric wheelchair didn't fit in the CAR (you heard it, a car) they sent to pick me up in or they just not show up at all for the pickup. I once had to leave in the middle of a movie (it was Black Panther so you know I was heated!) and told that I would have to “leave now” because of their scheduling conflicts or I will be left. Basically, without my own transportation, my very limited independence is at the mercy of transportation agencies who get paid for booked trips whether they make the run or not. (Now, I have had some very wonderful and helpful transit services that deserve a myriad of praise. But, unfortunately, they are few and far between.) I have rented vans to go out of town or when I have to because I just can’t miss another doctor’s appointment, but that cost has run anywhere from $200 to $800. So, this is my rock and hard space. I can’t afford to continue to rent vans just to have reliable transportation, nor can I continue to rely on these agencies who only see me as a payment in their accounts and not a person trying to retain some form of quality of life. So, this is why I am asking for your help.
I am taking a big step and I would love it if you could support me with this effort. I am trying to purchase a van. My goal is to retake back some of the independence I lost all those years ago, one night, after one accident. To cross this milestone would open so many doors to a more promising future. With the pandemic still raging around the world, it's not as safe as it was a year ago. We must travel safer than ever to protect ourselves and loved ones. Having your support with this milestone will ensure just that.
My old life did end on that night in July. But, with every ending, there is a new beginning. Now, I look forward to my life and to all the new beginnings that are waiting. I embrace the challenge, the fear of the unknown and those things once known, but now have to be re-learned. There is no turning back, only forward to a brighter, better, new beginning.
Thank you for simply taking the time to read my request and allowing me to take up a small part of your day. Even though we are so far apart and our paths are unknown, may you all continue to be blessed, safe, happy and loved.
Hello all!! My name is Michael. One day in July, 2003 I was involved in a car accident resulting in my current physical condition and classification as a Quadriplegic, level of spinal injury C3-C4. Being paralyzed means that I need assistance with everything. I no longer have my independence with physical activity, the freedom to do as I please when I please. Learning to adjust to this new life was very difficult for me as well as for my family. While the past 17 years have been a rough and rocky road, laden with lengthy hospital stays, periods of depression and constant UTI’s (UGH! Don’t even get me started.), it has also been full of happiness, joy, and achieving milestones. I’ve seen my sister get married, and was there to see both of my children walk across the stage to graduated and move on to college life. I have also attended college, become a graphics designer, and, after not being sure if I would live to see thirty, I am blessed to say that I’ve recently celebrated my 40th birthday! WAHOO!! Being able to attend all of these wonderful moments has been a joy, but so very expensive in the form of van rental cost.
WILD ADVENTURES AND MOVING FORWARD
Not having adequate, reliable transportation has led to some of the most frustrating moments of my life. To keep my sanity, I like to call these moments “wild adventures”.
Have you ever got all dressed up to go on a date with a hot girl, only to get left at the restaurant by the state run transportation service…all night long?
Well I have.
When I lived in Clarksville, Tennessee, my fiancé and I, were left at a Cheddar’s Restaurant. We were supposed to be picked up at 6pm, but there was some kind of accident and the service center forgot about our pickup time. After not getting through to the transportation service, we called the 911, the police (who thought we were joking), an emergency transportation company, and the local bus stations. No help. Finally, around 2am, the bar tender of the restaurant called back to say she finally contacted her brother, who called his best friend, who was the brother-in-law of the manager of the Clarksville Paratransit Service Center and he came out to pick us up, still in his PJs. (There’s more to that story, but I can’t write all that here.) When I moved to Georgia, the “wild adventures” just kept on coming. Again, with the assistance of the state run transportation service, I’ve missed doctor’s appointments because either the service’s van broke down or because my full sized electric wheelchair didn't fit in the CAR (you heard it, a car) they sent to pick me up in or they just not show up at all for the pickup. I once had to leave in the middle of a movie (it was Black Panther so you know I was heated!) and told that I would have to “leave now” because of their scheduling conflicts or I will be left. Basically, without my own transportation, my very limited independence is at the mercy of transportation agencies who get paid for booked trips whether they make the run or not. (Now, I have had some very wonderful and helpful transit services that deserve a myriad of praise. But, unfortunately, they are few and far between.) I have rented vans to go out of town or when I have to because I just can’t miss another doctor’s appointment, but that cost has run anywhere from $200 to $800. So, this is my rock and hard space. I can’t afford to continue to rent vans just to have reliable transportation, nor can I continue to rely on these agencies who only see me as a payment in their accounts and not a person trying to retain some form of quality of life. So, this is why I am asking for your help.
I am taking a big step and I would love it if you could support me with this effort. I am trying to purchase a van. My goal is to retake back some of the independence I lost all those years ago, one night, after one accident. To cross this milestone would open so many doors to a more promising future. With the pandemic still raging around the world, it's not as safe as it was a year ago. We must travel safer than ever to protect ourselves and loved ones. Having your support with this milestone will ensure just that.
My old life did end on that night in July. But, with every ending, there is a new beginning. Now, I look forward to my life and to all the new beginnings that are waiting. I embrace the challenge, the fear of the unknown and those things once known, but now have to be re-learned. There is no turning back, only forward to a brighter, better, new beginning.
Thank you for simply taking the time to read my request and allowing me to take up a small part of your day. Even though we are so far apart and our paths are unknown, may you all continue to be blessed, safe, happy and loved.
Organizer
Tricia Hall
Organizer
Douglasville, GA