Steph's Accessible Van Fund
Donation protected
Who am I?
The daughter of a superhero in need.
Why I need your help...
Short answer - My mom/superhero needs a wheelchair accessible van. She's driven non-modified vehicles since she was paralyzed, the most recent being an itsy bitsy, used Volkswagen Beatle. It’s modified with hand controls and that’s it. She’s faced with having to disassemble her wheelchair and lift it over her head and into the backseat every time she has to get in or out of her car. This motion causes wrenching of her back and extreme pain in her neck and shoulders... all that she has left.
This has taken an emmense toll on her body. Because of the pain, she’s limited to the number of times she can leave the house on a given day. I’m seeing my once energetic, full of life superheor being limited by her dif-ability for the first time in her life. This scares me beyond belief!
She has fought for a grant that will cover the cost of the modifications, but it will not cover the cost of the vehical. She'slooking at used vans to help keep the cost down, but will still need $10-15,000 to make it happen (exact amount TBD once a reliable used van is found).
Note: Actual van will come from Mobility Works
If this is something you think you might be able to help with, you could 100% change the trajectory of my mom’s life. A modified and accessible vehicle would allow her to maintain the independence that’s inspiring to so many.
It breaks my heart watching her fight to survive and I pray everyday that something will happen that will allow her to get back on her feet (for lack of a better term). This van could be the asnwer!
Any donations big or small would be SO GREATLY appreciated!
More about my superhero...
The fact that I’ve brought myself to create this page is both exciting and frightening at the same time. I’m excited to share with you the story of one of the most inspirational women on the planet, but also never thought I would have to write a letter of need for the woman I thought could withstand the world.
This person I refer to as my superhero has been labeled a number of things in her lifetime - She’s the chick on wheels, the neighbor with the helper monkey , the pilot , the world-champion athlete, the artist, and the independent single mom!
My mom, Stephany Glassing, was paralyzed in a car accident 31 years ago. She was left to a wheelchair and stripped of all the independence she had known. She had every right to be upset, to ask why, and to blame others, but she never did. In the 31 years that my mom has been in the chair, she has competed as a member of the U.S. Disabled Water Ski Team, claiming three world titles and breaking numerous world records. She is a certified scuba diver, a rower and has even earned her sport pilot license. She is unstoppable and is a true testament to never giving up!
As a kid, people always asked, “Who is your biggest inspiration?” and I always responded with the most cliché answer of them all, my mom, but I guarantee you nothing about her story is cliché. Fortunately, being asked this question opened the door for me to share with yet another person how incredible she is! Not only is she my biggest inspiration, but also my motivation and daily reminder to live a positive life no matter what the circumstance.
In the midst of her own struggles, she’s gone out of her way to be there for others facing similar challenges. Whether it be a newly injured SCI patient who thinks there’s no hope or a paralyzed women fearful of carrying and raising a child from a wheelchair, my mom goes out of her way to provide assistance and understanding and be a friend/mentor when one is in need. She’s so incredibly humble and will never truly understand the number of lives she’s impacted.
With that said, mom's physical and emotional strength has been tested day after day for the last 31 years, and immensely within the past 7. Yes - she's a fighter, but her body can only withstand so much. About 7 years ago, her health caught up to her time in the chair, requiring countless surgeries to prevent it from breaking down even further. She's not been able to work or really escape her chair ever since, which has only magnified the hardship. The struggle has been heartbreaking!
My mom spent every penny of her earnings to raise me. She made sure I was never held back because of our circumstances, which I will forever be grateful for. The challenge for me now, is figuring out how to pay her back for all that she's sacrificed and to provide her with the quality of life that she SO deserves.
Please help me help my mom get her independance back!
The daughter of a superhero in need.
Why I need your help...
Short answer - My mom/superhero needs a wheelchair accessible van. She's driven non-modified vehicles since she was paralyzed, the most recent being an itsy bitsy, used Volkswagen Beatle. It’s modified with hand controls and that’s it. She’s faced with having to disassemble her wheelchair and lift it over her head and into the backseat every time she has to get in or out of her car. This motion causes wrenching of her back and extreme pain in her neck and shoulders... all that she has left.
This has taken an emmense toll on her body. Because of the pain, she’s limited to the number of times she can leave the house on a given day. I’m seeing my once energetic, full of life superheor being limited by her dif-ability for the first time in her life. This scares me beyond belief!
She has fought for a grant that will cover the cost of the modifications, but it will not cover the cost of the vehical. She'slooking at used vans to help keep the cost down, but will still need $10-15,000 to make it happen (exact amount TBD once a reliable used van is found).
Note: Actual van will come from Mobility Works If this is something you think you might be able to help with, you could 100% change the trajectory of my mom’s life. A modified and accessible vehicle would allow her to maintain the independence that’s inspiring to so many.
It breaks my heart watching her fight to survive and I pray everyday that something will happen that will allow her to get back on her feet (for lack of a better term). This van could be the asnwer!
Any donations big or small would be SO GREATLY appreciated!
More about my superhero...
The fact that I’ve brought myself to create this page is both exciting and frightening at the same time. I’m excited to share with you the story of one of the most inspirational women on the planet, but also never thought I would have to write a letter of need for the woman I thought could withstand the world.
This person I refer to as my superhero has been labeled a number of things in her lifetime - She’s the chick on wheels, the neighbor with the helper monkey , the pilot , the world-champion athlete, the artist, and the independent single mom!
My mom, Stephany Glassing, was paralyzed in a car accident 31 years ago. She was left to a wheelchair and stripped of all the independence she had known. She had every right to be upset, to ask why, and to blame others, but she never did. In the 31 years that my mom has been in the chair, she has competed as a member of the U.S. Disabled Water Ski Team, claiming three world titles and breaking numerous world records. She is a certified scuba diver, a rower and has even earned her sport pilot license. She is unstoppable and is a true testament to never giving up!
As a kid, people always asked, “Who is your biggest inspiration?” and I always responded with the most cliché answer of them all, my mom, but I guarantee you nothing about her story is cliché. Fortunately, being asked this question opened the door for me to share with yet another person how incredible she is! Not only is she my biggest inspiration, but also my motivation and daily reminder to live a positive life no matter what the circumstance.
In the midst of her own struggles, she’s gone out of her way to be there for others facing similar challenges. Whether it be a newly injured SCI patient who thinks there’s no hope or a paralyzed women fearful of carrying and raising a child from a wheelchair, my mom goes out of her way to provide assistance and understanding and be a friend/mentor when one is in need. She’s so incredibly humble and will never truly understand the number of lives she’s impacted.
With that said, mom's physical and emotional strength has been tested day after day for the last 31 years, and immensely within the past 7. Yes - she's a fighter, but her body can only withstand so much. About 7 years ago, her health caught up to her time in the chair, requiring countless surgeries to prevent it from breaking down even further. She's not been able to work or really escape her chair ever since, which has only magnified the hardship. The struggle has been heartbreaking!
My mom spent every penny of her earnings to raise me. She made sure I was never held back because of our circumstances, which I will forever be grateful for. The challenge for me now, is figuring out how to pay her back for all that she's sacrificed and to provide her with the quality of life that she SO deserves.
Please help me help my mom get her independance back!
Organizer and beneficiary
Briana Gurley
Organizer
Marietta, GA
Stephany Glassing
Beneficiary