Wheelchair Accessible Van for Derek

My name is Derek. I'm 26 years old and have cerebral palsy and use a power wheelchair to get around. I like hockey, and enjoy playing in the local power wheelchair hockey league. Having a wheelchair accessible van would benefit myself and my parents Keith and Sandy McLennan whom i live with.

A vehicle would bring me to everything,  appointments, my many volunteer jobs, social events with my friends, all of my family events no matter where they are even across Canada and the USA.  It would mean a lot to have. I feel happy when I participate in many different activities with my large circle of friends. It gives me pride in having the ability to live an independent life and that's what having a vehicle would allow me to do. 

I know its just a van but its my life for me. The expense is so great because on top of purchase of a van it needs to be modified greatly to become wheelchair accessible. The funds in this case would be used to do both purchase a new van and ensure it is modified appropriately for my use. I hope to be able to use a new wheelchair accessible van for the next 10 years and hopefully more. Due to the fact that modified wheel chair vans are few and far between, getting one and ordering the modification takes quite a bit of time to complete that so the sooner we  have the funds to begin the process the better.  

I am very, very excited about the possibility of getting a new wheelchair accessible van. Myself and my whole family would like to thank everyone for taking the time to help me achieve an independent life.