Wheelchair-accessible van for the Mason Family

The Mason family has helped the Gainesville community for years and now they need our help. Alonzo and Lashaunda Mason have three sons, Zavion (17), Zachary (16), and Zyler (9); two of whom, Zavion and Zyler, have been diagnosed with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD). PMD is a rare, progressive, degenerative nervous system disorder in which coordination, motor abilities, and intellectual function deteriorate.

Both Alonzo and Lashaunda work full-time in helping professions as ESE paraprofessionals for the Alachua County school system. They do receive some SSI assistance, however, their medical expenses and current needs far exceed their ability to cover the costs associated with caring for two children with PMD. Their most pressing need at the moment is a wheelchair-accessible van. Currently, they use two vehicles that are not wheelchair-accessible to transport their sons to school and medical appointments. Having access to such a van would allow the Masons to drive altogether to their numerous medical appointments as well as for daily use as a family.

Over the years, the PK Yonge Robotics Team (Roaring Riptide) has worked with the Mason family on various projects like Magic Wheelchair, a national nonprofit program that aims for communities to create elaborate costumes for children in wheelchairs so the public can see the costume before a disability. The PK Yonge Robotics Team worked tirelessly to fabricate, wire and 3-D print Paw Patrol-themed costumes using their engineering skills. During this process, the team of students saw first-hand the daily challenges the Mason family encountered and wanted to make a more meaningful contribution. So in an effort to support the Masons, Roaring Riptide is spearheading fundraising efforts for a wheelchair-accessible van. The team hopes to reach a goal of raising $60,000 as they know it would greatly improve the quality of life for the Mason family.