Independence for Jerome

Independence

noun | in·de·pen·dence |ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s
definition: freedom from outside control or support

When Jerome was born, both of his arms and his legs were broken. He was immediately placed into traction and his parents were told that they should give him up; that he wouldn't live beyond 16 years old. That was almost 50 years ago!  

Jerome was born with a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI); aka Brittle Bones. He's had hundreds of breaks in his lifetime and uses an electric wheelchair to get around. He is only 2' 11" inches tall and has severe scoliosis and limited reach and muscle strength due to the OI.   

In spite of all of that, Jerome is active in the community and very well loved. He is married with three step children, works a full time job, has a part time job and is a foster parent.

Jerome needs your help to remain independent!

Jerome's van is adapted with special controls that allows him the independence and freedom that only having your own vehicle can provide. There is no public transportation near Jerome's neighborhood. Today, Jerome has over 250,000+ miles on his 16 (going on 17) year old van. Things are wearing down. The body is starting to rust through. The transmission is going. The fuel pump has been replaced three times. The van is in the shop almost monthly now.  

Without a vehicle of his own, Jerome cannot get to work, he cannot provide transportation for his stepchildren or his foster children to school, friends’ houses or appointments. He can't do simple things like running to the grocery store or stopping to surprise his wife with flowers.

We are only asking for your help to raise the funds for the adaptations (listed below) required to allow Jerome to remain independent. The adaptations are approximately $81,000!!! Again, that does NOT include the price of a new (used) vehicle.

By donating to Jerome's Independence fund, you can help Jerome remain independent and we can NEVER thank you enough! 

Adaptations required for Jerome to drive his own vehicle:

·      Standard Wheelchair Conversion
o   10" Lowered Floor 
o    Power Door
o   Power Folding Ramp
o   Power Kneeling System
o   Remote Entry
o   Step & Roll Driver/Passenger Front Seats
o   Manual Wheelchair Securements

·      Conversions specific to meeting Jerome’s needs:
o   Electronic Gas & Brake (Hand controls for accelerator and brake)
o   Zero Effort Reduced Steering with Backup (Needed for Jerome’s diminished muscle strength)
o   Small Wheel (Needed due to Jerome’s small size and limited reach)
o   EZ Lock (Driver) (Locks wheelchair firmly to the floor)
o   AEVIT Touch Screen System with HVAC & Digitone on Hand Control with Pin Switch (Needed due to Jerome’s limited reach to control the Heat/AC/Windows/Locks/Cruise Control, etc…)
o   Gear Shift Extension (Allows Jerome to shift normally without having to put the shifter on the AEVIT Touch Screen System – more “normal”)
o   Key Extension (Allows Jerome to start the vehicle with a key instead of on the AEVIT Touch Screen System – more “normal”)

Thank you again for taking the time to read about our quest to help Jerome remain independent! 

Please consider sharing this page with your friends and family. 

#Independence4Jerome

THANK YOU!
The people who love Jerome.