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Hi everyone,
My name is Luis Gonzales and six years ago I was in a shallow water diving accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down. Living as a quadriplegic hasn’t always been the easiest thing but I have tried my hardest to work hard and save every penny to one day become fully independent. Having reliable transportation is a major obstacle for someone with a disability and I have been struggling to raise money in order to get a handicap accessible vehicle on my own.
While I have never let it hold me down having a disability and using a wheelchair has placed limitations on my life and the types of jobs I can do. It also comes with extra medical expenses that keep setting me back. I have worked extremely hard over the last couple of years to become as independent as possible and I dream of the day that I will no longer require disability benefits and can become a productive member of my community.
Despite everything, I try to work part time when I can and I’m going to school full-time to get my Masters but because I don’t have reliable transportation I spend an average of six hours on the bus every day. The nearest bus stop to where I live is 14 blocks away and many times I have to make that trip and wait while it rains or under extreme heat. This is extremely difficult because my disability doesn’t allow me to regulate my body temperature and I can easily overheat.
Once I am able to obtain an accessible vehicle I would have the opportunity to take the next step in my life. It would allow me to work full-time, get off disability, make a living for myself, get a place of my own that is handicapped accessible, and most importantly give back to others who are in similar situations. I do what I can to volunteer around the community and help others who may be in need and have also written a blog to promote independence for other individuals with disabilities.
I am going to school for mental health and rehabilitation counseling and I’m striving to help myself today so I can help others tomorrow. Please help me reach my goal, even the smallest donation will go a long way and please help me share this page so that I may reach more people. Thank you.
Graduating with my bachelors!
This is me before going adaptable water skiing with the UCanSki2 program. Wonderful program for people with disabilities.
Had a blast!
At a wedding a couple years ago.
My name is Luis Gonzales and six years ago I was in a shallow water diving accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down. Living as a quadriplegic hasn’t always been the easiest thing but I have tried my hardest to work hard and save every penny to one day become fully independent. Having reliable transportation is a major obstacle for someone with a disability and I have been struggling to raise money in order to get a handicap accessible vehicle on my own.
While I have never let it hold me down having a disability and using a wheelchair has placed limitations on my life and the types of jobs I can do. It also comes with extra medical expenses that keep setting me back. I have worked extremely hard over the last couple of years to become as independent as possible and I dream of the day that I will no longer require disability benefits and can become a productive member of my community.
Despite everything, I try to work part time when I can and I’m going to school full-time to get my Masters but because I don’t have reliable transportation I spend an average of six hours on the bus every day. The nearest bus stop to where I live is 14 blocks away and many times I have to make that trip and wait while it rains or under extreme heat. This is extremely difficult because my disability doesn’t allow me to regulate my body temperature and I can easily overheat.
Once I am able to obtain an accessible vehicle I would have the opportunity to take the next step in my life. It would allow me to work full-time, get off disability, make a living for myself, get a place of my own that is handicapped accessible, and most importantly give back to others who are in similar situations. I do what I can to volunteer around the community and help others who may be in need and have also written a blog to promote independence for other individuals with disabilities.
I am going to school for mental health and rehabilitation counseling and I’m striving to help myself today so I can help others tomorrow. Please help me reach my goal, even the smallest donation will go a long way and please help me share this page so that I may reach more people. Thank you.
Graduating with my bachelors!
This is me before going adaptable water skiing with the UCanSki2 program. Wonderful program for people with disabilities.
Had a blast!
At a wedding a couple years ago.