Rev. Robert Gebel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 17+ years ago. As Robert’s physical mobility and stamina have decreased, his (aging) electric scooter is no longer stable enough to keep him sitting upright and prevent him from tipping over. A back door, deck and ramp were added to the house last summer, so now with a new power wheelchair, Robert is free to cruise the neighborhood. However, we’d love to have a vehicle to transport him in his new chair to locations beyond!
A mini-van from A and J Mobility (see photos below) with a power ramp will enable easy and safe entry into the vehicle with no need to transfer to a seat. Appointments, daily life activities and special outings with the grandchildren will become possible and much easier to plan. A used 2012 van costs $39,000. (Additional costs of $5,000: extended warranty, back-up camera and front hooks for the power chair.) Our goal is to raise $21,000 toward the cost of the vehicle.
Due to increasing transportation challenges, this past year Robert discontinued leading his weekly nursing home Bible study and singing with the men’s choir. A medical appointment that would normally require two hours (including transportation) has taken over four hours on the handicap transit system. This increases Robert’s fatigue and risk of falling once he is back home, to say nothing of the regularly scheduled 4-hr MS treatments. Increased number of medical appointments, Robert’s inability to ride in a regular auto, and his increasing need for assistance have limited friend’s ability to escort him without a properly equipped vehicle.
Robert’s diagnosis came just two years into serving as sole pastor at our first congregation in the St. Louis metro area, Concordia Lutheran-Maplewood. Over the next two years, Robert experienced a rapid decline and our family moved to Iowa City where Robert served as Associate Pastor for six years at Our Redeemer. As the disease continued to progress, Robert resigned his position and we moved to Milwaukee nine years ago where Robert grew up. We're blessed to live within a half hour of our married daughter and five grandchildren and a van will help Grandpa join the fun.
Robert continues to leads a weekly men’s Bible study at our church and sings in the choir at Immanuel Lutheran, Brookfield. Since he gave up driving four years ago, friends, family and the county handicap transit system have provided countless rides to medical appointments, church and everywhere else.
By conserving energy and providing safe and reliable transportation for Robert, this van will open new doors for ministry and enable him to enjoy life more fully. “How great to be out and about on my power chair in public places and for my wife not have to dismantle the scooter, fold up the walker and load everything into the car in the rain, snow and cold! And, now I won’t always be sitting in the car waiting while she is out running errands. This van gives us hope to see life beyond the four walls and look forward to countless occasions to celebrate with friends and family.”
Thank you for helping our family enjoy the sights and sounds of this Christmas season as we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday.
A mini-van from A and J Mobility (see photos below) with a power ramp will enable easy and safe entry into the vehicle with no need to transfer to a seat. Appointments, daily life activities and special outings with the grandchildren will become possible and much easier to plan. A used 2012 van costs $39,000. (Additional costs of $5,000: extended warranty, back-up camera and front hooks for the power chair.) Our goal is to raise $21,000 toward the cost of the vehicle.
Due to increasing transportation challenges, this past year Robert discontinued leading his weekly nursing home Bible study and singing with the men’s choir. A medical appointment that would normally require two hours (including transportation) has taken over four hours on the handicap transit system. This increases Robert’s fatigue and risk of falling once he is back home, to say nothing of the regularly scheduled 4-hr MS treatments. Increased number of medical appointments, Robert’s inability to ride in a regular auto, and his increasing need for assistance have limited friend’s ability to escort him without a properly equipped vehicle.
Robert’s diagnosis came just two years into serving as sole pastor at our first congregation in the St. Louis metro area, Concordia Lutheran-Maplewood. Over the next two years, Robert experienced a rapid decline and our family moved to Iowa City where Robert served as Associate Pastor for six years at Our Redeemer. As the disease continued to progress, Robert resigned his position and we moved to Milwaukee nine years ago where Robert grew up. We're blessed to live within a half hour of our married daughter and five grandchildren and a van will help Grandpa join the fun.
Robert continues to leads a weekly men’s Bible study at our church and sings in the choir at Immanuel Lutheran, Brookfield. Since he gave up driving four years ago, friends, family and the county handicap transit system have provided countless rides to medical appointments, church and everywhere else.
By conserving energy and providing safe and reliable transportation for Robert, this van will open new doors for ministry and enable him to enjoy life more fully. “How great to be out and about on my power chair in public places and for my wife not have to dismantle the scooter, fold up the walker and load everything into the car in the rain, snow and cold! And, now I won’t always be sitting in the car waiting while she is out running errands. This van gives us hope to see life beyond the four walls and look forward to countless occasions to celebrate with friends and family.”
Thank you for helping our family enjoy the sights and sounds of this Christmas season as we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday.