Julie Needs a Wheelchair Car!
Donation protected
Julie Vallimont, dance musician and artist extraordinaire, has been dealing with illness that affects her mobility for over a decade now, and she really needs a vehicle that is wheelchair friendly.
Ever since her illness left her reliant on using a wheelchair, it has been very hard for Julie to drive, and driving has even sometimes made things worse and injured her. The best, and really the only solution, is a wheelchair accessible vehicle. However, the special modifications needed are ridiculously expensive. She has tried every other driving situation (hand controls, lifts, etc.) she could find in order to get to gigs, visit friends, go to doctors, and generally be independent. Now those methods just aren’t working anymore and she has been unable to get to appointments, had to cut back on performances, and has been forced to stay home more. She’d really like to get back out into the world, so it’s time that Julie gets a wheelchair car!
To help offset the huge price tag of $65,000, Julie applied for a program in Massachusetts that will contribute to the cost of a modified car. Finally after 3 years of waiting, she now has been approved for $35,000, which is amazing! But that leaves Julie owing $30,000 for the super-cool modified Ford Explorer that will meet her needs and it’s still pretty far out of her budget.
So let’s help her buy this car! Our goal is to cover the full $30,000 but any amount helps, and it all goes to Julie, whatever we raise. With other big expenses looming, like the need for an accessible house and ongoing medical costs, getting this car will ease some of the financial pressure on Julie and I know she will incredibly grateful for our support.
About the Ford Explorer MXV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze0qYYmoMGU
(the cool thing about this car is that it's the only wheelchair vehicle with rear seats that fold flat, so that Julie can transport her keyboard and other gear!)
How wheelchair vehicles are modified: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_0KmURoEA&t=43s
Ever since her illness left her reliant on using a wheelchair, it has been very hard for Julie to drive, and driving has even sometimes made things worse and injured her. The best, and really the only solution, is a wheelchair accessible vehicle. However, the special modifications needed are ridiculously expensive. She has tried every other driving situation (hand controls, lifts, etc.) she could find in order to get to gigs, visit friends, go to doctors, and generally be independent. Now those methods just aren’t working anymore and she has been unable to get to appointments, had to cut back on performances, and has been forced to stay home more. She’d really like to get back out into the world, so it’s time that Julie gets a wheelchair car!
To help offset the huge price tag of $65,000, Julie applied for a program in Massachusetts that will contribute to the cost of a modified car. Finally after 3 years of waiting, she now has been approved for $35,000, which is amazing! But that leaves Julie owing $30,000 for the super-cool modified Ford Explorer that will meet her needs and it’s still pretty far out of her budget.
So let’s help her buy this car! Our goal is to cover the full $30,000 but any amount helps, and it all goes to Julie, whatever we raise. With other big expenses looming, like the need for an accessible house and ongoing medical costs, getting this car will ease some of the financial pressure on Julie and I know she will incredibly grateful for our support.
About the Ford Explorer MXV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze0qYYmoMGU
(the cool thing about this car is that it's the only wheelchair vehicle with rear seats that fold flat, so that Julie can transport her keyboard and other gear!)
How wheelchair vehicles are modified: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW_0KmURoEA&t=43s
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Pilzer
Organizer
Greenfield, MA
JULIE VALLIMONT
Beneficiary
