Hi, I'm Billie Goodenough, and I want to raise money for my adult nephew Jeremy so he can have reliable transportation--a wheelchair van. Thank you so much for reading Jeremy's story below.

For any of us who has had a finger, an arm, or even a leg go numb, the feeling—even for a moment—of being stuck, unable to move about freely is debilitating, in every sense of the word. Now, imagine that sensation, or lack of it, becoming permanent, every moment of every day. What if you couldn’t move your arms or legs on your own? You couldn’t move from place to place on your own? You couldn’t leave your house on your own? You had to depend on someone else for everything you needed, on a wheelchair to move about, and on a specially-equipped van with a ramp and other reinforcements and controls to move it and you beyond your home.

For my nephew Jeremy, that is life today and how it has been for all his yesterdays back to the age of one when he contracted bacterial meningitis, in the days before doctors commonly knew to look for it. In the summer of 1983, this disease in him went undiagnosed for 10 days, despite numerous doctor and hospital visits, ultimately leading to his significant intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fact, Jeremy owes his life to a persistent mother who would not let the doctors rest.

For the next long year, from this formerly active toddler, there were only blank stares and non-expressive looks; then finally one day a smile emerged and hope began again.

Jeremy is now 42 years old and has been wheel-chair bound since his illness. He has severe physical limitations, with no functional ability of his hands, arms, feet, or legs. For all these years Jeremy has been lovingly cared for by his mother (my sister), Rose Marie Allen, depending on her for feeding, clothing, bathing, movement, and all aspects of his care.

Living in an area with few services available and raising three older children as a widow at the same time, Rose Marie has fought to find ways to enhance and stimulate Jeremy’s mental and physical abilities, to help him become all that he could be. When he was two, she secured a spot for him in a new local preschool program offered for children with developmental delays. Through her efforts, his school system worked with him on a specialized reading program, later providing a laptop and other assistive technology programs. She struggled to find funding, materials, and volunteers for home alterations such as a simple ramp and making their bathroom into a wheelchair accessible shower. With her own creativity, she adapted a video game controller for Jeremy to use with his head because he loves video games.

One of their biggest continuing challenges has been transportation. Even living simply and very frugally on a small income has only allowed enough funds for “make-do” vehicles which would go the few miles to the grocery store and to church. Their current 1999 Dodge van was purchased from a local non-emergency transport company 6 years ago. It has required many repairs and still needs many more. When it came to the point, that despite multiple efforts, the access ramp was not working properly and the loading door would not close, the search began for a reliable replacement that would fit both Jeremy and his aging mother’s limited mobility needs. Finally, a used van showed up in Knoxville TN—one that just needed minor detailing.

It was truly an answer to prayer! How could anyone have imagined that some 460 miles later, within 2.5 miles of safely turning into her driveway, a freak accident would render the mobility van, immobile and a total loss? Deeply heartbreaking barely covers what it felt to come so close to finally providing sorely needed, reliable transportation to Rose Marie for Jeremy’s sake, only to see it crumpled up on the back of the flatbed tow truck as it faded into the darkness.

If this was the end of the story, how tragic! But our God is a gracious God who works events out for His glory and our good. To have come within 2.5 miles [and 5 minutes], only to fall short, He must have bigger and better plans on how to meet the needs of this deserving family.

Jeremy is a happy young man with beautiful eyes, a sweet smile, and simple desires. He loves going to church and to the store. This faithful and grateful widow and her precious adult son need new reliable transportation. Please assist as the Lord leads and share with your friends and family, for His glory and our good!