Wheels for Isaac

Meet Isaac ! Isaac cannot speak or type so I (his Momma) am sharing on his behalf.

SIB - self injurious behaviour
TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury 
ABI - Acquired Brain Injury

Isaac was born with an exceedingly rare chromosomal abnormality which resulted in a deficiency of a protein known as UNC80. Isaac is non verbal. He is completely dependent in all activities of daily living and requires arms reach supervision during all waking hours and often at night . 

Isaac is severely self injurious. Most of his SIB is head directed, resulting in a chronic, progressive brain injury. The picture at the top of our profile shows him being repatriated to PRGH via BCCH Infant Transport Team (a mobile, airborne intensive care unit) after spending a week on neuro .  He had inflicted such serious, repetitive impacts on his head that it was feared he had suffered a stroke. 

Isaac's condition and TBI/ABI have left him unable to regulate his body temperature (and other autonomic functions). His father's vehicle does not have air conditioning.  

 He frequently self injures during transport, potentially putting others at risk.  He requires a vehicle with specialty glass designed to withstand high velocity impacts from the interior. 

Of utmost importance is preventing his self injury from interfering with the safety of the driver and other passengers.  This means installing a safety barrier between front and back seat. 

We have located a decommissioned police cruiser which already has the required modifications including high impact glass, safety barrier, reinforced door and seat panels, restraint mounts (for a specialty seat belt), and climate control. The trunk is large enough for his wheel chair and other care supplies. 

The vehicle is located in Powell River. This make and model is no longer being made . This one is in very good condition with exceptionally low mileage.  Time is of the essence as the car is on the market and will sell quickly. 

We we are pursuing all available fundraising options. I am happy to answer direct questions regarding what funding avenues we have already accessed.  If you wish to donate but would like a receipt for income tax purposes, I'm working on connecting with a local non-profit who might accept donations in trust for Isaac and issue receipts .

If we cannot raise these funds and purchase this vehicle, we will soon be in a position where we can no longer transport Isaac on our own.  What quality of life he does have will decrease significantly. 

If funds are raised but we do not meet our goal, we will seek to have those funds held in trust by a third party non-profit for another vehicle if one becomes available.  In the meantime we will continue to pursue other funding options.

Please help us keep Isaac safely involved in his community !

Gratefully,

Shawna

April 23/2016

Goal has been raised to reflect costs I had not previously considered.

April 23/2016

Variety the Children's Charity has declined our application because my request does not fit their mandate.