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Let’s help Brian get a platform lift and accessible van so he can get out of the house in his wheelchair.
This is my brother-in-law Brian with his family. Several years ago he was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurological disorder that effects motor neurons in the brain and extended nervous system; killing the cells that link the brain to muscles. Lacking signals to do things. The muscles eventually atrophy and die. Brian, and his family, have been fortunate that his disease progression has been (relatively) slow. Ninety percent of those who developed ALS die within two to six years, shockingly, some in less than two, while Brian is still going strong. Currently, though, he spends almost all of his time in a power wheelchair. Other than bed it is the only place he can sit comfortably for any amount of time.
Brian fortunately lives in a ranch so everything important is on one floor. They were able to add a large accessible bathroom but important needs remain. Currently they are unable to get his wheelchair out of the house. They are looking to add a vertical wheelchair lift, basically a short little elevator, in their garage. A wheelchair ramp requires twelve horizontal inches for every vertical inch of rise. A few steps up into the house can quickly become thirty feet of ramp and wether straight or with switch backs a ramp can become quickly impractical even. Vertical lifts, installed, cost around $7000 or more. It seems like a lot until you consider that the chair with Brian in it weighs between 450-500 pounds. The vertical lifts are built to handle the weight.
While the platform lift will allow them to get the chair out of the house they will eventually need a modified van to carry it places. Vans, even used, can easily cost $30,000 to $50,000 and Brian and Melissa may also need to have their driveway modified to accommodate the van. Vans modified for wheelchairs often have their beds lowered to accommodate the height of the chair and ramp and lift equipment.
We have two separate goals for this fund raiser. First, we want to raise $8000 for a vertical platform lift and installation. Second, somewhere around $50,000 for an accessible van.
It will be great to see Brian out with his family again.
This is my brother-in-law Brian with his family. Several years ago he was diagnosed with ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurological disorder that effects motor neurons in the brain and extended nervous system; killing the cells that link the brain to muscles. Lacking signals to do things. The muscles eventually atrophy and die. Brian, and his family, have been fortunate that his disease progression has been (relatively) slow. Ninety percent of those who developed ALS die within two to six years, shockingly, some in less than two, while Brian is still going strong. Currently, though, he spends almost all of his time in a power wheelchair. Other than bed it is the only place he can sit comfortably for any amount of time.
Brian fortunately lives in a ranch so everything important is on one floor. They were able to add a large accessible bathroom but important needs remain. Currently they are unable to get his wheelchair out of the house. They are looking to add a vertical wheelchair lift, basically a short little elevator, in their garage. A wheelchair ramp requires twelve horizontal inches for every vertical inch of rise. A few steps up into the house can quickly become thirty feet of ramp and wether straight or with switch backs a ramp can become quickly impractical even. Vertical lifts, installed, cost around $7000 or more. It seems like a lot until you consider that the chair with Brian in it weighs between 450-500 pounds. The vertical lifts are built to handle the weight.
While the platform lift will allow them to get the chair out of the house they will eventually need a modified van to carry it places. Vans, even used, can easily cost $30,000 to $50,000 and Brian and Melissa may also need to have their driveway modified to accommodate the van. Vans modified for wheelchairs often have their beds lowered to accommodate the height of the chair and ramp and lift equipment.
We have two separate goals for this fund raiser. First, we want to raise $8000 for a vertical platform lift and installation. Second, somewhere around $50,000 for an accessible van.
It will be great to see Brian out with his family again.
Organizer
Brian Carless
Organizer
Madison, WI