Wheelchair Van For Ben

Hi, I'm Benjamin Nelson. I am 15 years old. I was born in February 2002 and was 25 weeks early. I weighed 1lb. 12oz. For the past 15 years I've been through many doctors’ appointments, procedures, therapies and surgeries. The doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy. I have never been able to do the everyday tasks people take for granted and some of that includes sitting up on my own or even walking. 

The past few years my body began to not respond as before. I became stiffer and my tone was high along with other battles I faced. From 2016/17, I have had five surgeries to hopefully help my quality of life. On July 12th, was to be my last surgery. It was done on my spine, unfortunately, I ended up back in the hospital due to complications. I had bad infections that compromised my back surgery and a previous surgery that helped me with my stiffness/tone. Since July 12th, I have spent most of my time in the hospital mainly in ICU, because the spinal surgery was compromised.  I was frustrated when my doctors told me I would have one additional surgery by the end of this year.

I always wonder to myself if my life will ever get better. For the past few years, it has become difficult for me to travel with my family. I cannot get into our family vehicles. In order for me to go on family outings and my doctor’s appointments, I need a MOBILITY VAN so I can ride in my wheelchair. My family needs help to purchase a van for me. My dad contacted a local company that provides wheelchair van services for special needs kids the total cost to obtain this van $82,590.

Would you consider helping me to get a van so I have the ability to get out and go to the park, aquarium, and take a trip to California to see all my family. It would be awesome to feel a little normal for once in my life and the van would help make life easier for my dad and me. Thank you for your support.