Upgrade Jake's Van for a Life-Changing Trip

"The Show Must Go On"

Young, wild and working as a lighting stagehand for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Jake was living the life. He traveled with the circus on his own motorcycle and often pushed the limits, logging a lot of miles across the United States.

A mundane errand abruptly and profoundly changed Jake's direction in life. The circus was in Memphis at the beginning of June 2005 and Jake decided to take in some sight seeing. After going, ironically, to the motorcycle museum he popped into CVS to drop off some film for development (remember doing that way back when?).

Lighting crew call time was approaching as he pulled out of the parking lot and, looking to change lanes, hit the car in front of him, flew over it, and landed under the car in front of the one he just flew over. It happened so fast.

He kept telling people to get his bike off of him. But he had left the bike behind. Forever.

He's under the back of a car and wedged up against the piping hot tail pipe. His neck is broken.

While the lighting crew wonders where Jake is and start putting the show together, the EMT crew is putting him on a stretcher. While the Ring Master announces the clown car coming, the dispatcher alerts the ambulance coming.

Here we go...lights, camera, action...the greatest show on earth.

I'm doing this fundraiser so the Jake "show" can go on the road in 2025. His 2005 Sprinter Van is doing okay and it will probably get him around his hometown of Fredericksburg, VA, for a bit longer.

A replacement is about $110,000. But Jake would like to travel further than Fredericksburg. His bucket list includes the Sphere in Las Vegas and Red Rocks, and maybe a trip to his alma mater in Orlando...

Wishes are wishes, it's time to get serious. It's time to update his vehicle for safety and reliability. Max Van makes the new Pathway with an overhead lift option that will be able to move Jake's 250+ lb awesomeness within the van. So Jake and two drivers/caregivers could feasibly travel places, like from Fredericksburg to Las Vegas, safely. https://maxvan.com/pathway/

Consider donating. Thanks so much!

See you in Vegas!

And maybe Red Rocks... and Nashville? Who knows what will become accessible with your donation! Thank you, friends.

All the love!