New Wheels for Brianna's Bright Future

Brianna needs YOUR help!

My daughter, Brianna, is an amazing and beautiful young lady who happens to be very physically disabled. She is in need of a new wheelchair accessible van so that she can continue her thriving journey out in the community with school, family, friends, activities and work (some day). The van she has now is 22 years old and is falling apart, literally. We lovingly call it the Mad Max Mobile. Door panels have fallen off, the ramp is temperamental (going in and out as it pleases…or not), windows won’t go down (great for a drive-thru LOL!), the gas gauge no longer works, the fabric on the ceiling is falling down resting on our heads, and it locks when it wants. Max has become very temperamental in its old age. And now, our wonderful mechanic, who has done a great job keeping Max going all these years, has had to tell us we should only drive it locally, at most. Because of this, Brianna has already missed the big family Thanksgiving as we could not get there safely. So, you may wonder, why should I help, and why is it important that Brianna gets out in the world? Well, let me tell you a little about her, and I think you’ll see.

Brianna was born more than a bit early and ended up with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, among other things. Although her mind is clear and bright, CP has left her very physically disabled with her muscles not cooperating with how she wants to live her life, leaving her to depend on the use of a power chair, and to the point where she will always need someone with her to assist so she can get through every day throughout the rest of her life. Always with a smile on her face, she endured a dozen surgeries on her hips, knees, and muscles throughout her youth. Through all of that life interruption, which was usually at least 4-5 months of recovery each time, she still stayed positive, managed to push through, worked very hard, and graduated high school with many accolades, including multiple honor societies, English department award, and the Unsung Hero award. She then continued that diligence with hard work and recently graduated college receiving her bachelor’s degree! She’s so smart! And now, Brianna is attending grad school! She dreams of a business where she makes sustainable, stylish, and comfortable clothing for people in wheelchairs. I said she is amazing, right?!!! No words can describe how proud I am of her!!! But her momentum may not continue without your help. If Brianna can’t get to where she needs to go, what would her life look like? You can help!

Brianna has faced, and will continue to face, so many challenges in her life – challenges we can’t do anything about. But THIS is something we CAN do. After trying for more than a year to get help through the “regular” channels (to no avail – what a nightmare!), I need to look to YOU for help. I’m asking you to please donate what you can to help Brianna purchase a new wheelchair accessible van so that she can continue her bright journey. These specialized vans cost upward of $70,000!!!! Any donation will help! And please share her story with all of your family and friends. Brianna just wants to live her life like we all do, but cannot do it without safe transportation that fits her. Everything helps!!!! Let’s make her dreams come true. Thank you!!