Since coming home just under 2 and a half years ago, Jocelyn has almost doubled in weight and grown over 10 inches! She has gone from clothes meant to fit a 5 year old fitting loosely to fitting in clothes that are age appropriate. It’s truly remarkable how much she has grown not only physically but also in her maturity, resilience and we are seeing ever so slowly her growing in her willingness to engage in relationships and be cared for.
We are hoping to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for our family. Getting Jocelyn into the car and breaking down her wheelchair to load into the trunk has become increasingly challenging. There is no good way to lift her or her wheelchair that doesn’t put strain on our backs. Additionally, Jocelyn has had increasing discomfort with transfers into and out of the wheelchair resulting in her crying out and resisting sitting correctly in the car seat and seatbelt. She would ride so much more comfortably and safely if she were to be in her wheelchair which is fitted correctly for her needs.
A wheelchair van would also increase the quality of life for Jocelyn and our family as a whole. Taking Jocelyn to school, getting out and exploring the community, doctor appointments and therapy appointments are so much more accessible without the need for painful transfers and lifting her wheelchair into the car each and every time.
We have located the perfect van for our growing family’s needs. It is a 2019 Ford Transit with very low miles, well maintained and has seating for 8 plus a lift and enough room to safely transport Jocelyn in her wheelchair. The original owner is a family who has 5 children whose oldest was a wheelchair user has unfortunately passed away which is why they are selling their van. We have been able to secure extended financing which puts the monthly payment into a doable amount however in negotiations our best and highest offer and the lowest they are wiling to go is separated by $2,700.
We are hoping to raise this difference. The next goal we would have is to help offset the down payment which is $6,000. If need be we can take out an additional smaller loan to cover that expense. Any additional money raised over $8,700 would go to paying down the car loan which will total $44,000. Our offer to the dealer is set to expire on November 8th.
We have seen God’s provision in the most outstanding ways, throughout Jocelyn’s entire adoption process and even more so in the time she has been home in our family. In this vehicle search we have seen the faithfulness of God by providing the money we would need for the monthly van payment, leading us to the perfect van for our family, and even more so we have seen God’s faithfulness in how He relentlessly loves and pursues His children.
Asking for help is something that is very hard for us, however in talking with some trusted friends we were reminded that the Lord equips and uses the entire body of Christ in different ways to accomplish His will. So we are humbly asking, if you are one of the ones He has equipped and called to support, would you consider partnering with our family in accessing this provision? We are humbly and excitedly looking forward to seeing how God works out the details, mobilizes His bride and shows His glory in this continued story of His grace. His ways of providing are far more wonderful than we could ever imagine.
With love and gratitude,
The Baird Family
