<div><em>Hi, my name is Brianna and I'm supporting Shilo in sharing her story to raise funds to regain her mobility. Below is Shilo's story and an FAQ (and alternative fundraising titles if you're looking for a laugh) that she put together. Shilo is a dedicated community member, fierce advocate, consultant and trainer, and has worked tireless for years to serve her people. Shilo has an infectious laugh, a generous heart, and a beautiful way with words of support. She's also one of my very best friends. Shilo's mobility has been declining for the last few years and it's impacting every aspect of her life. After a lot of encouragement, she allowed us to care for her in the ways she's cared for so many of us. Whatever you can offer is appreciated.  </em>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Dear friends and family,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>It's with a mix of emotions that I'm reaching out to you today. Asking for help has never been easy for me, but as I often remind others during my workshops and trainings, it's okay to seek support when it's needed.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As many of you know, I've been facing increasing challenges with my mobility over the past several years. Chronic pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness caused by systemic inflammation, autoimmune disease, and fibromyalgia have made everyday tasks a struggle. During the pandemic, the closure of facilities like swimming pools, which were essential for maintaining my stamina and mobility, further exacerbated my condition.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Despite my best efforts, including using a cane and rollator, my mobility has continued to decline. Simple activities like grocery shopping or meeting friends have become daunting tasks, often leaving me physically drained and in need of days to recover. Even working has become a challenge, with in-person engagements requiring meticulous planning due to accessibility issues and uncertainty about my physical state on any given day.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>A recent incident where I fell and severely sprained my knee while attempting to get into my SUV was a wake-up call. It became clear that I needed a more reliable solution to preserve my energy and enable me to live life more fully. After consulting with my healthcare provider, it was recommended that I invest in a powerchair to enhance my mobility and quality of life.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The journey to finding the right mobility device has been eye-opening, both in terms of the options available and the associated costs. Contrary to my previous belief, medical insurance does not cover the full expenses of mobility devices and their transportation. Navigating this complex process has required seeking guidance from professionals like recreational therapists to ensure I make informed decisions.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I'm humbly reaching out to you today to ask for your support in this endeavor. The cost of a specialized conversion van accessible to accommodate a powerchair ranges from $60,000 to $80,000. While this amount may seem daunting, any contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in helping me regain independence and improve my quality of life.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your kindness and generosity during this challenging time would mean the world to me. Please know that your support, whether through a donation or by simply sharing this campaign with your network, will have a profound impact on my life.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Thank you for taking the time to read my story and considering supporting me on this journey.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With heartfelt gratitude, Shilo.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>**To support transparency I'll post receipts on this Go Fund Me page as I purchase the items I need.**
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>For those that would like more details or to learn more about the process I'm going through see FAQ below:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why don't I use my health insurance to pay for my powerchair?</strong>
</div>
<div>Medical insurance will only pay for powerchairs or scooters if you need to use them in your home. They will not pay for them if you need to use them outside your home to go to medical appointments, walk your dog or just have a more enjoyable life. In my case I don't need a powerchair in my home because I use my cane or walker…also I don't live in a mansion.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why don't I use my health insurance to pay for transporting the powerchair?</strong>
</div>
<div>Medical insurance doesn’t pay for transporting the mobility devices and this includes trailers, lifts or conversion vans.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why a conversion van instead of a lift or trailer?</strong>
</div>
<div>Well it's not as simple as you might think. You have to know what kind of powerchair you are going to get and specifically how much it weighs. Not all vehicles have the tongue weight capacity (different than towing) for a lift and my current vehicle doesn't. That leaves a trailer as the other option. My concern about a lift or a trailer is that I would need to tie down the powerchair (four straps) and cover it with a large cover to protect it from the weather or debris, then walking to my car door and getting in. On a good day I could probably do this without needing to sit down and rest, but on a day with body pain and fatigue this is unlikely. When I strain my body to the point that my muscles start stiffening and stop working I start to have a panic attack.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why do conversion vans cost so much?</strong>
</div>
<div>There are only certain vans and a couple SUVs that are able to be converted. Those that can be converted are purchased from the manufacturer at a retail price and then taken to one of two companies that put them through the conversion process which entails stripping away much of the car including lowering the floor 10-12 inches from the center of the car past the dashboard, adding an automatic ramp, taking out the center row of seats, putting in rubber flooring, adding 180 degree driver and passenger seating tracks for easier transfer from powerchair to seat and adding a kneeling system which makes the car lower to the ground of the ramp and entrance. There are many other features that are added as well. This is a costly and time consuming process that requires specific technical skill and materials. This process typically costs $20,000-$30,000.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>What other costs are involved with a conversion van?</strong>
</div>
<div>There are a couple of different kinds of insurance I'll need to get including a more expensive regular car insurance because the vehicle is worth so much money if it were to be damaged or totaled.
</div>
<div>I will need gap insurance to cover the amount of my loan gap if it were to be totaled and the insurance company deemed it being worth less than my loan.
</div>
<div>There's also a type of extended warranty insurance that will be needed to cover engine repairs as well as the expensive automation features like the ramp or kneeling system if they were to break.
</div>
<div>Then there is preventative maintenance of the van and the powerchair which is important for safety as well as making sure the mobility equipment run properly for years to come.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Why don't you know how much the van will cost?</strong>
</div>
<div>There's a few reasons for this. I wanted to start fundraising now to have a large down payment so my monthly payments would be reduced to $400 or less per month. Once I get that financing, if I paid a large amount on the loan it would make it so that I paid the loan quicker, but wouldn't lower my monthly payments. The other part of the situation is that there isn't a lot of conversion vans available at anyone time. I have an appointment to go on March 1st to visit one of the mobility companies that has new and used conversion vans because I'm not sure which model and years of vans/suv would work for my needs in particular. They all have different dimensions and ramp/door widths and heights are different too. There are a few used vans available, but most are new. I will update when I know more specifics and will provide receipts for transparency.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>This all sounds overwhelming how do you know you won't get taken advantage of?</strong>
</div>
<div>This is one of my concerns too. There's so much to learn and I don't know what I don't know. But I did find a knowledgeable recreational therapist who lives in the Portland area that has helped many families and adults with this process. She has relationships with mobility companies in the area and workers at those companies that she trusts. She is going with me on March 1st to look at vans and is helping me get access to a powerchair I'm wanting so I can try it out and see if it will work for me, my access needs and my body. She's already brought up aspects of this process I didn't think of and is helping me with options and choices. My best friend, Brianna, is also helping me through this process and will be joining us on March 1st. Disability justice is about community and mutual aid.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Other costs associated with this process:</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Fees for help from the recreational therapist
</li>
<li>I'll need smaller access items such as a cane holder for the powerchair and other items I don't know of yet.
</li>
<li>Savings for repairs and other access needs as they should arise.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>When you have the powerchair and the conversion van, how will it impact your life?</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>I won't be afraid of falling every time I get into my vehicle.
</li>
<li>I can take Journey (my dog) for walks and not have to rely on others to do it or pay for those services.
</li>
<li>I will have more independence to do my own shopping, go to medical appointments I've been putting off because it's too much walking, and get a hair cut.
</li>
<li>I can take more jobs that require me to be in person and I can do so without stress or anxiety about how hard it will be on my body or how many days my body will need to recover.
</li>
<li>I will be able to visit with friends and family more. My mom was telling me she's looking forward to me being able to go with family to restaurants (with a mask) or go on family trips to the beach.
</li>
<li>There are places I haven't been to in a long time like Crystal Spring Rhododendron Garden in SE Portland or a Asian market to buy my own Korean cooking ingredients.
</li>
<li>And much, much more 
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Alternative fundraiser titles (because laughter is medicine):</strong>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Wheelie Awesome: Powering Shilo's Journey to Freedom
</li>
<li>Van-tastic Voyage: Rolling Towards Independence with Shilo
</li>
<li>The Road to Access-ability: Join Shilo's Joyride
</li>
<li>Van-demonium: Fueling Shilo's Freedom Crusade
</li>
<li>Wheels of Wonder: Spinning Towards Empowerment with Shilo
</li>
<li>Ride to Freedom: Hitting the Gas on Shilo's Independence Quest
</li>
<li>Vroom for Improvement: Accelerating Shilo's Accessible Adventures
</li>
<li>Cruise Control: Steering Shilo Towards Empowered Mobility
</li>
<li>Drive for Dignity: Putting the Pedal to the Metal for Shilo
</li>
<li>Rolling Revolution: Join Shilo on the Road to Liberation
</li>
</ul>

Nancy Ellis-Ordway

Andrea DiMaio

Lisa Bersani

Victoria Clarke

Maz Sykes

Galadriel Mozee

Rachel Kacenjar

Yasha Shapiro

Kulia Waiwaiole

Anonymous

Jaclynn Cosan

Elizabeth Ronca

Selena Salfen

Jennifer Henretty

Susan Stinson

Jessica Lyon

Join Shilo's Joy Ride: Help Shilo Get Her Wheels!

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

fundId

deleted_not_hidden_for_co_per_fundid_prod

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

Eligible for Profile Share Badge

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

Supporter Comments Eligible Funds

International Only

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

NPO recommendations prod

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

isEligibleForProfileBadge

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

categoryGroup

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.3.0 and above

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

NPO upsell animals category

NPO upsell disaster relief category

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

NPO upsell essential needs category

NPO upsell medical category

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

NPO upsell cancer category

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Join Shilo's Joy Ride: Help Shilo Get Her Wheels!

Still $43,104 to go. Help us build momentum.