Accessible Wheelchair Van

Family and Friends, we are reaching out again to ask for some help as we approach a purchase of an accessible wheelchair van for our 6 year old son

Atticus.

In the Fall of 2021 we met a wheelchair vendor and care team to discuss our options of mobility devices because strollers were no longer meeting the needs of Atticus's growing body. Due to the severity of myopathy in his arms, a manual wheelchair was not an option for Atticus. He is unable to push the chair himself. We found a hybrid option, a manual chair with motorized wheels. Unfortunately, this was not covered by our insurance and was twice denied. Our last option offered through insurance that would still grant full indepence was a motorized wheelchair. This chair was around 400 pounds.

Before purchasing the wheelchair through our insurance we met with an accessible car company who told us we did not need an accessible van. Instead they informed us that we needed to install a wheelchair lift into a normal van. In August 2022, by crowd funding and many fundraisers thanks to our incredible community, we purchased a used van and had the lift installed. Unfortunately, the company was incorrect, and the lift quickly failed due to the motorized wheelchair being heavier than the max capacity of the lift. In January 2023 after a lengthy and frustrating battle with the company, they removed the lift and refunded us.

This left Atticus with no transportation of his new chair. Atticus adored his short few months he had with his power chair. It was very devastating to longer be able to use his wheels that granted him the exciting parts of childhood. Our brave boy waited an entire year for the chair, only for it to be stuck at home just 4 months later.

Shriners Children Hospital of Portland donated us a push wheelchair which has been incredibly helpful but does not access Atticus full indepence. Where he goes, I go. Which makes socializing, exploring, and general sense of indepence very frustrating for Atticus.

This past year we paid thousands of dollars towards additional medical care that is not covered by insurance. The financial demands are quite exhausting and absurd. Therefore, we have applied to multiple grant funding programs. Unfortunately we were denied by all of them due to the grounds that they do not cover vehicles. We exhausted all resources.

We are now moving forward with purchasing a used accessible vehicle which ranges from 45k-50k. We also plan on selling the van we originally purchased for Atticus's wheelchair and use those funds towards the new vehicle. We humbly ask for any assistance. However, we also know prayer is more powerful than the dollar. So your prayers are even more coveted and held dear.

This photo is from last year with Atticus's power chair.