This is Oliver, he is my neighbor and the kiddo of the rock star that has taken on the task of being a caregiver to my brother Aiden. Oliver uses a motorized wheelchair to help him navigate the world and be part of all of the super fun stuff any 10 year old boy wants to do! In order to do this he and his family NEED a wheelchair accessible van.

Let me tell you a bit about his story and the mountains he has climbed to be the rockstar he is today. Oliver is a twin to Noah (Noah is a super cool amazing young man as well but this story is about Oliver so back to him!) they were born 8 weeks premature and Oliver was not breathing and this lack of oxygen caused a brain injury. He has Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy and relies on his wheel chair for mobility. He may not be able to walk in the ways we consider typical but this kiddo doesn't let anythign stop him! He plays in the snow, goes to school, enjoys beach time and has literally the best smile! He is now 10 years old and before we know it he will be a teenager and wanting to go to dances with his friends, activities outside of school that will require his wheel chair and hopefully participate in special Olympics. He has all of the drive but no way to get his Wheelchair to these places! We are raising money to get a wheel chair accessible van that he can use that will also fit all 6 members of his incredible family!

This is why I come to you, the incredible community that we have who helped my mom when Michael was sick. If Michael were here he would be out finding a van for Oliver and his family, himself, come on we all know its true. If he didn't find one he would have someone to donate one, or started building one. Its who he was, I have no skills in the building area but I can tell a story and Oliver's and his family's story is near and dear to my heart.

Oliver is a special guy who needs this to be part of everything his family does, that includes family vacations! You see Oliver's family (in particular his mom April) saved me when I brought Aiden to State College from Butler. I am not exaggerating, there was a time I looked at April as we were putting our kids on the bus and said I don't think i can do this, I will have to quit my job, this is too much. I didn't have enough money on Aiden's waiver for him to do 5 days a week of a program with transportation or enough money for him to have care outside of the home every day. We had gotten him a job at Good Day Cafe but I didn't know how I was going to work and get him there. April looked me in the eyes and said no, we are not doing that, you love your job and your family needs that financial security, we are going to figure this out. That's when she became Aiden's part time caregiver, she picks him up at work and keeps him on his work days, we had enough in our waiver to do make this happen and she is amazing with Aiden. He truly loves her, and my sanity is more grateful than anyone could imagine. April wants to have a family van so bad that she has chosen not to get a new vehicle that will fit her family to save up for this van. However, they need it now, the current vehicle she drives does not have air conditioning, it is starting to need repairs and this is not conducive to Oliver's needs and safety, especially, as he grows. Not to mention if you know Aiden, lack of air-conditioning is a bit rough on him lol

Please consider donating and sharing this fundraiser so we can make this happen for this incredible family!! We have a big goal so they can get the exact van they need, with any extra funds they will make their home more accessible for Oliver and get equipment to help April and Joe lift him. He is only getting bigger and heavier and their bodies will take a toll. They have 3 other kiddos to take care of the youngest is 5 so we need them to stay healthy for a very long time!

Again Funds will be used first to get a van, any thing left over will help them make their home more accessible to Oliver and easier physically on Joe and April!