A Handicap Accessible Van for Emma

Emma is 12 years old and has Spinal Muscular Atrophy ( SMA ) Type 2. She's used a power wheelchair since the age of 2. The first van we purchased when she was 4 and it's not able to be made handicap accessible due to the age of it, but has served its purpose until recently. This 17 year old van has seen it's better days. It has over 235,000 miles on it and has several issues.  

Emma had spinal surgery on March 20, 2015 to correct her scoliosis. The surgery made her much taller which caused us to have an even worse problem with our current van. Since it's not handicap accessible the ramp on it is very steep and the door /ceiling is not tall enough for Emma to be safely transported in.

Emma has been in the hospital since April. This has been a very different time for her and our family.  Due to several complications she will need to get a trach.  With the trach comes extra equipment that we don't have room for in the current van. She'll also have more medical appointments after this surgery.

Emma now more than ever really needs a handicap accessible van so she can comfortably and safely leave  home. She has many doctor appointments. Some which are a few hours away. She would also love to be able to get out and do some fun things. She loves to go shopping and would love so much to go to the beach. To do this she needs a dependable handicap accessible van.

Our family was finally able to purchased a home 2 years ago. One that Emma could get around on her own in. Something she'd never be able to do before. This was something she had needed for a long time. With our current mortgage and other added cost a handicap accessible van is really not something we can afford on our own. I've been her primary caregiver for 10 years so only her father is able to work. We would greatly appreciate any help we could get in making this dream for Emma come true.

Thanks so much,

Brandy Dickerson Shifflett
(Emma's momma)