Pushing Forward: A Wheelchair Athlete’s Call for Support

Hi, my name is Decordeay, and I’m reaching out to share a bit of my story in hopes of finding support from a compassionate community.

I’m a full-time wheelchair user who has always found joy and purpose in staying active — not just for my own health and well-being, but as a way to give back. I’ve spent years coaching youth sports, including basketball and football. Watching kids grow in confidence, learn teamwork, and fall in love with movement has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life.

But now, I’m trying to stay in the game myself.

I’m a father of two children and currently working full-time and doing my best to manage the many expenses that come with living with a disability. One of my biggest challenges is transportation — my accessible van, which is my only way to get to work and stay independent, costs me over $1,000 each month due to the specialized modifications and insurance required. It’s a steep price, but one I have to pay to keep moving forward. This doesn’t even cover the essential services and repairs needed (oil changes, etc.).

Now, I’m trying to raise funds to get adaptive equipment that would allow me to be active again — specifically, an accessible bike and a sports wheelchair for playing basketball. These items are far from luxury purchases; they’re essential tools that would help me regain a sense of physical freedom, mental clarity, and connection to the sports that have shaped so much of who I am.

I’ve dedicated my time and energy to helping young athletes grow stronger and more confident — and now I’m humbly asking for a chance to do the same for myself. I don’t have the financial means to afford this equipment on my own, but with your support, I could continue to live a healthy, active life and possibly even give back more through coaching adaptive sports in the future.

If you’re able to support in any way — through a donation, sharing my story, or simply sending encouragement — it would mean the world to me. Every bit of help brings me closer to getting back on the court and back into the active life I love.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for believing in what’s possible.

With gratitude,

Decordeay