Wheelchair Accessible Van for Caleb
Donation protected
Our current vehicle, a full size Ford van that we have used to transport Caleb for 16 years, is no longer sufficient to provide transportation for Caleb, due to his size, wheelchair weight, lifting requirements, and our medical injuries.
We, Caleb’s parents, both have documented repetitive stress injuries (shoulder and back) which we were told resulted from, or were contributed by, lifting Caleb on daily basis. As Caleb has increased in height and weight, and his wheelchair is heavier, transferring Caleb has become increasingly more difficult.
Since 2009, we have used a special van seat, made by Turny, however it broke about 1 1/2 years ago and we have tried on several occasions, unsuccessfully, to have it repaired. In its currently unrepaired condition, Laura, as Caleb’s primary caregiver, needs to get assistance from family members or Good Samaritan passersby to not only lift Caleb from the chair to the Turny (to a height of approximately 45”), but also lift the wheelchair (which weighs approximately 100 pounds) from ground level up into the back of the van (a height of approximately 27”). Additionally, there is no suitable car seat for Caleb’s current transport configuration, per a local special needs seating expert who informed us that most of her clients, with similar disabilities to Caleb’s, have wheelchair accessible vehicles and remain in their wheelchair during transportation. We do not wish to exacerbate our injuries or cause injury to Caleb’s siblings, who regularly have to assist us transfer Caleb.
These transportation problems have resulted in us not being able to include Caleb (and one or more family members, as Caleb requires constant care) in some of our family activities, such as going out for ice cream, grocery shopping, running errands, attending parties, and attending church (on occasion, when the van breaks down, as it did recently) and some church activites. Additionally, transporting Caleb to medical appointments has resulted in some challenges, as well.
We have explored getting assistance through our regional center but have been told that there is no funding available to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Caleb. We have also explored some various charity groups, but only minimal resources are available toward what is an expensive vehicle.
Therefore, we are humbly putting out the need we have and praying God will provide for us through the generosity of others. We thank you for considering our need and appreciate any way you can bless our family.
We, Caleb’s parents, both have documented repetitive stress injuries (shoulder and back) which we were told resulted from, or were contributed by, lifting Caleb on daily basis. As Caleb has increased in height and weight, and his wheelchair is heavier, transferring Caleb has become increasingly more difficult.
Since 2009, we have used a special van seat, made by Turny, however it broke about 1 1/2 years ago and we have tried on several occasions, unsuccessfully, to have it repaired. In its currently unrepaired condition, Laura, as Caleb’s primary caregiver, needs to get assistance from family members or Good Samaritan passersby to not only lift Caleb from the chair to the Turny (to a height of approximately 45”), but also lift the wheelchair (which weighs approximately 100 pounds) from ground level up into the back of the van (a height of approximately 27”). Additionally, there is no suitable car seat for Caleb’s current transport configuration, per a local special needs seating expert who informed us that most of her clients, with similar disabilities to Caleb’s, have wheelchair accessible vehicles and remain in their wheelchair during transportation. We do not wish to exacerbate our injuries or cause injury to Caleb’s siblings, who regularly have to assist us transfer Caleb.
These transportation problems have resulted in us not being able to include Caleb (and one or more family members, as Caleb requires constant care) in some of our family activities, such as going out for ice cream, grocery shopping, running errands, attending parties, and attending church (on occasion, when the van breaks down, as it did recently) and some church activites. Additionally, transporting Caleb to medical appointments has resulted in some challenges, as well.
We have explored getting assistance through our regional center but have been told that there is no funding available to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle for Caleb. We have also explored some various charity groups, but only minimal resources are available toward what is an expensive vehicle.
Therefore, we are humbly putting out the need we have and praying God will provide for us through the generosity of others. We thank you for considering our need and appreciate any way you can bless our family.
Organizer
Dan Nadler
Organizer
Tulare, CA