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Wheels for Peyton

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Peyton is a 15 year old young man with Quadriplegic Spastic Cerebral Palsy. 
In August Peyton's health insurance approved for him to get a powerchair. This changed his life giving him more freedom and mobility,  especially in school.  Unfortunately it sent myself and his mother into a chaotic scramble to quickly obtain a few thousand dollars worth of items to at least get his chair from home to school. We purchased a used 2005 Honda Odyssey with 160,000 miles for $3000 plus spent another $2000 on little ramps and materials to get the chair into the van and doorways. The chair weighs ruffly 450lbs so the current system for going in and out of the back of the van is not the safest. 
So far the van has broken down twice,  the second time unfortunately being 2 days before having to drive Peyton down to Philadelphia to speak to a surgeon about having a hip replacement. This time it was the transmission that went.  We had to rent a van to get him to his appointment only to find out there is too much damage to his hip and femur bone to successfully perform a hip replacement.  The surgeon said he would most likely have more complications from the surgery,  leading to more surgeries maybe even losing complete control of his leg forever. He recommended another surgery where they would cut the top of his femur off and rely on the scar tissue that forms to hold the leg in place.  This will be Peyton's 8th surgery and he's been in so much pain since May, anything to relieve the pain at this point is the right choice.  
It was 10 minutes after leaving the appointment,  receiving the news from the surgeon that I got this idea to do a GoFundMe.  We were standing on a corner in Philadelphia, I turned and looked at Peyton and my wife only to see a lost, desperate look in both their eyes. I realized they both deserve and need a win with something.  I stopped in Allentown on the way home and talked to a gentleman at an ADA van dealership.  He gave us the information on new ADA vans and informed us that there is NO state or government funding for people with disabilities to get vehicles until they turn 18. The gentleman gave us numbers to several places that might help a little with a downpayment to get the monthly car payment down, but being these vans cost anywhere from $50K-$75K new, the monthly payments would still be way out of our budget to afford.  
Peyton's mother is a strong, hard working woman averaging 60hrs a week at work to try and keep up with the bills.  Peyton is a wonderful, smart young man working hard in school making the honor roll.  He is funny with a wonderful spirit,  considering the cards he's been dealt in life. 
If ever there were two people who needed a win in life it's these two and I must try every Avenue there is to get them this win.  I'm praying that if this is successful,  the relief from not having to worry about such a massive expense and the feeling of joy and gratitude they'd feel knowing that good people pulled together to help them through this struggle would give them both the spark of hope they'll need to make it through this surgery and the complications and therapy that will follow.  
If by some chance we exceed the goal of $50,000 additional funds could be used for additional ADA modifications to our house. And if by some miracle we exceed the goal far beyond what we're hoping,  the remaining balance after the van and house modifications would be equally donated to the St Joseph center in Dunmore PA and the Children's hospital of Philadelphia.  They have both been a blessing to our family and it would be wonderful to give something back. 
This situation is the exact reason GoFundMe was created and any donations are greatly appreciated!
God bless

Donations 

  • Kaylah Hodgins
    • $500 
    • 4 yrs

Organizer

Jon Doty
Organizer
Hawley, PA

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