My New wheelchair modified minivan
Donation protected
As my friends and family know, I am quadpriplegic due to a spinal cord injury at age 15. Thirty four years later, I find myself with a dwindling insurance settlement dedicated toward paying for my care needs and a 17 year old vehichle that has aged badly due to not being able to park it in our garage. My minivan, which is modified so I can drive it myself from my power wheelchair, is my lifeline that gets me to the hospital and doctors appointments. It allows me to run errands for me and my mother who is again in cancer treatment. It's my independence, without which I'd be a shut in.
The problems with my minivan are many. The latest is most severe. Due to major recent storms and apparently multiple leak points in the van, not only is the carpet ruined but lots of water has been sitting under the floor where there's a gap and my ramp slides under and on the metal floor beneath it. I got some of it vacumed out of there but I can still hear it sloshing around when driving. The water is now getting rust colored as is the metal on the already problematic power door. God knows what kind of lasting damage the water caused.
My dream would be a like new vehicle as installing expensive equipment like sensitized brakes and steering, etc in a really old one wouldnt make sense but I am open to maybe 5 years old. A Toyota or Honda would be ideal but I don't have any expectations.
A like new vehicle could be about $60,000 once all the equipment I need to drive is installed. An older model that's partially modified I can't really say as they will all be different depending on the vehicle and what modifications it has. Kelly Blue Book has 5 year old basic Toyota Siennas worth about $14,000. The ramp conversion is apparently costing about $20,000. now. And then there would be the modifications for me to drive it which I havent priced yet but it would be thousands.
As you can see, it's expensive being disabled in America. I am uncomfortable to be asking for help paying for anything but my dear friends convinced me to. I am grateful for your conideration. Much thanks.
The problems with my minivan are many. The latest is most severe. Due to major recent storms and apparently multiple leak points in the van, not only is the carpet ruined but lots of water has been sitting under the floor where there's a gap and my ramp slides under and on the metal floor beneath it. I got some of it vacumed out of there but I can still hear it sloshing around when driving. The water is now getting rust colored as is the metal on the already problematic power door. God knows what kind of lasting damage the water caused.
My dream would be a like new vehicle as installing expensive equipment like sensitized brakes and steering, etc in a really old one wouldnt make sense but I am open to maybe 5 years old. A Toyota or Honda would be ideal but I don't have any expectations.
A like new vehicle could be about $60,000 once all the equipment I need to drive is installed. An older model that's partially modified I can't really say as they will all be different depending on the vehicle and what modifications it has. Kelly Blue Book has 5 year old basic Toyota Siennas worth about $14,000. The ramp conversion is apparently costing about $20,000. now. And then there would be the modifications for me to drive it which I havent priced yet but it would be thousands.
As you can see, it's expensive being disabled in America. I am uncomfortable to be asking for help paying for anything but my dear friends convinced me to. I am grateful for your conideration. Much thanks.
Organizer
Nicole Leschinsky
Organizer
Novato, CA