Renee's Road to Mobility

Mobility Vehicle Fund: Restoring Independence for a Selfless Hero, Our Mom.

Dear friends, family, and our compassionate community,

Life can change in an instant. One moment, everything seems ordinary, and the next, the course of our lives is altered forever. This is the reality our mother, Renee, faced when a freak accident turned her world upside down. A simple fall robbed her of the life she once knew and left her grappling with the excruciating pain of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

We are reaching out to you today with a heartfelt plea to help restore our mom's independence through a specially adapted mobility vehicle. Due to her condition, Renee can only drive using her left arm and requires a vehicle with wheelchair ramp, hand controls, and additional modifications. This vehicle is not just a convenience for her—it's her gateway to freedom and autonomy.

A mobility vehicle with the correct adaptations to enable our mom to drive herself to work and doctors costs over $80,000 ($97,529). Due to the various adaptations required to accommodate her, a new vehicle is the only option, as attempts to adapt our old minivan have been unsuccessful. We have a time-sensitive opportunity to secure this adapted vehicle for Renee. With your generous support, we aim to raise $45,699.00, to cover the cost of purchasing the vehicle and ensuring it's properly customized to meet her unique needs. We are fortunate to have a matching grant that will cover the adaptation expenses, but we must act quickly as the deadline for this program is fast approaching.

It's about more than just mobility; it's about giving her the chance to reclaim her life and continue writing her story. In addition to transforming our mom's life, your donation will also impact our local community. Renee serves as the Executive Director of The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Rhode Island, where she tirelessly works to provide essential resources—food, clothing, shelter, and more—to those in need. By helping Renee regain her mobility, you're also ensuring she can continue her vital work, benefiting countless individuals and families in our area.

Please join us in this mission to restore our mom's independence and mobility. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in Renee's life and the lives of those she tirelessly serves. Together, we can make a profound difference in the life of this remarkable woman.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your unwavering support.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Peter, Kat, Francis, and John Paul, and all of Renee’s friends and family

Story of our Mom

As a single mom of four, our mom has always been our rock, our guiding light through life's storms. She's the epitome of strength and resilience, sacrificing her own needs to ensure ours are met. But now, it's our turn to rally around her in her time of need.

If you know our mom you know she has spent her life serving others, dedicating herself to her family and her community. She continues to fight through the pain, balancing doctors appointments and working as the executive director nonprofit organization, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Rhode Island, serving those in need in our community.

We know she has touched the lives of so many people over the years, from her 8+ years at St. Patrick's School, 11+ years with SVDP, her time running CCD at St. Mark's, and her many years involved in and working alongside Cranston Rotary, S.O.A.R., RICADV, Red Cross, United Way, and so many more.

Other Avenues of Support

Over the last three years since her fall, she has applied for various assistance through TechACCESS, OSCIL, Mobility Works, Office of Rehabilitation Services, etc. She was able to be evaluated by a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, and passed the test to drive. This is our last step to help her on her road to mobility!

Renee's Current Condition and Prognosis

The first few years after the accident, our mom went through painful and extensive rehabilitation, and at this point they have explained that this is probably the closest to “better” she will ever get. She currently needs braces and a cane to walk even short distances, she knows the reality is that she will soon need to use a wheelchair in order to get around. She lost the use of her right arm, but through extensive therapy, she has regained minimal use of her arm and hand, however she remains in a compression sleeve to help control some of the horrific nerve pain and swelling. She will never be able to get her skin to stop feeling like it is on fire, she won’t regain further use of her arm, but with this vehicle she will be able to continue getting her treatments, regain some independence, continue working, and also have a handicap accessible van to help us with what the future may hold.

Every day is a battle for our mom—a battle against chronic excruciating pain, against limitations, against a fate she never saw coming. Yet, through it all, she remains faith-filled, trusting in the Lord's plan for her life. Her acceptance and strength as she learns to adapt to her new normal inspire us all. We feel helpless that we can’t ease her pain or heal her condition, but we know this will help her adapt and empower her.