This Go Fund Me campaign will help us acquire a vehicle with a wheelchair lift for my 14 year old stepson George.  George has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and uses a power wheelchair full time over the past 5 years.  
What is it Duchenne?
https://youtu.be/6wLnR7GJakY

This campaign also coincides with a fundraising event to be held in Ventura, CA on Sunday, Sept. 25th at the Ventura Beach Club.

When my husband John and I got together several years back, we bought a 2010 Dodge Caravan with stow & go seats which we have used with a portable wheelchair ramp.  We only had George and his little sister Emily every other weekend and John would be the one setting up and carrying the ramp.  Our needs have changed.  
We are in now in need of  a vehicle with an electric wheelchair lift, something that will be safe and in relatively good shape.  

Last fall we filed for custody of both children and since last summer, we have had them full time.  During the summer, it was a daily trip to Westpark Community Center for camp.  That meant lugging the 50 lb ramp, setting it up, getting him in the van, folding it back up, putting it back in the van.  Once we reach our destination, I do it all over again.  Then in the afternoon, same thing.  This meant 8 times I would have to lift and fold the heavy ramp just to do one drop off and pick up.   This has become extremely difficult as many of you know I live with multiple sclerosis and just that simple task was draining my limited energy.  Not to mention my heat sensitivity, I would wind up getting to work at 9:30 exhausted and overheated.  I knew then that I would not be able to sustain that schedule.
Our current van is no longer as safe as it needs to be, nor is it comfortable for George.  He can no longer sit up straight and is forced to sit with his head tilted and touching the roof.  We have decided to find a small, shorty schoolbus or retired shuttle bus that would accomodate trips around town as well as family adventures.  I have found used ones ranging from $5,000 to $35,000 and more but we just need one that's functional once we have some cash in hand to make a deal on the right one.

Having a vehicle with an electric lift would open up so many doors for George, it is terrible for him to feel like a burden as he watches me struggling with the ramp.   We now have George being seen by some of the country's brightest doctors down at UCLA.  Quick trips anywhere in town are just not worth the effort and he constantly worries about my health and he winds up staying home even when I would love to have him with me.  This van would allow me, his grandma, big sister, just about anyone looking after him to take him places without such a struggle and health risk.  Right now, even taking him to the library can be too much for me whereas, with an electric lift, I can get him in and out safely, quickly and at the push of a button. 

Reaching out to the community for help is not something I take lightly,  I am extremely grateful for the help that has been given to us in the past, both to do some renovating allowing our hall bathroom to be wheelchair accessible, and also for our emergency spare wheelchair several month back.  As a stepmom and wife, I will continue to swallow my pride for my sweet stepson's freedom and better quality of life.


If you are able to help us reach our goal you will be making a difference in the life of a very special child along with our entire family.  If you can't help out financially, maybe you can help us by sharing our campaign?

Gratefully,
Rachel Sedacca-Replogle