Transportation For Mike And His New Wheelchair

Hi Everyone,

Mike O'Brien's brother Dan here. As most of you know by now, Mike was diagnosed last year with ALS. He recently got his new wheelchair to tool around in. The problem is that it's EXTREMELY heavy and can't be transported very easily at all. The next step for him is that he needs to get a van rigged to transport him and his wheelchair safely to and from doctor appointments in Boston, visits with family and friends, etc... As you know he and his wife Juliet aren't ones to ask for help or favors. The same goes for most of us, right? But starting next month he will be stopping working. Therefore very soon his income will also change drastically, so he will need to squirrel away as much money as possible with 2 kids still in college, a mortgage, etc... The costly and needed purchase of a specialized van would not help. So the ask here is honestly whatever you can do to help. Once Mike can't use the van anymore, the plan would be to donate it to Compassionate Care ALS, a group that continues to make life easier for Mike and his family. Hopefully they could then gift it to a person in need without the means or support group to purchase one for them. So, the gift will keep on giving. Mobility Works is currently where Mike is looking. New vehicles to fit his specific needs are 80-100K, and decent used ones are 40-60K. So I've set the fundraiser at 70K to be safe (considering taxes will have to be paid). I know it's a bigger number, but I think we can do this. Aiming high so that whatever time Mike has left (which we're hoping could be several years), he's able to move about in the world freely and safely without the added stress of more debt. If you can help, we'd all appreciate it. Currently it's extremely difficult getting him out and about in the world. Let's help change this if we can.