The family that love grew
Donation protected
Happy 5th birthday Braxton!! Our little boy turned 5 yesterday (5/18). Please help us celebrate by making a donation. No amount is too small. I promise it all adds up.
We are a special needs adoptive & foster family. We currently have 2 children (1 adopted & 1 foster child) that use a wheelchair for all transportation.
We attend multiple doctors appointments and try to involve both children in all family activities ranging from ball games, dinners out & activities in the community that they would also enjoy.
We are a large family of 2 parents, 2 biological children, 1 adopted son, 2 adults whom live with us with developmental disabilities who aged out of DCS care & 1 current Foster-daughter.
We purchased our large van in order to be able to provide transportation for each member of our family & fit each of us comfortably enabling us to do things as a family. Spending time with our family & seeing everyone enjoy activities together makes life so very happy.
Our thought and plan when purchasing our van was that we would find a used “mechanical wheelchair lift” and install it at an affordable rate. (We have seen these lifts on craigslist & even at Goodwill). Peace of cake right?!!?
Unfortunately, after over a year of looking & further researching, we have realized that this would be impossible as our van will require custom modification & installation of a wheel chair lift.
I (Mom) have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I do what I can to keep myself healthy and feeling well and take medications that do help with some of the pain but it is always there lingering. Some days are better than others. Having a lift will help me be careful with my body & not over exert myself.
Mobility Works in Lavergne TN has quoted us $12,000.00 before taxes and installation fees to modify our van’s rear bumper & install a wheelchair list in the rear of 2015 Ford Transit Passenger van (low roof line model).
This cost is something that we were not prepared for and completely blew us away. I thought I had everything figured out when I purchased the van. So now, here I am, continuing our journey to make this necessity become a reality.
I have reached out and applied for special needs grants & have gotten nowhere. Unfortunately there is not much funding for vehicle modifications which is what I have been told over and over by a multitude of programs.
Our families passion is caring for these children who need all the love we have to give. Caring for these children is most difficult but yes the most rewarding thing I have ever in my life done. But to be honest, I learn more from them than I could ever teach them.
Having an electric lift would make living life with these amazing yet challenging children so much easier. It may take me 2 years to reach this goal but I am determined.
I’ll be saving for this expensive endeavor. I do not nor have I ever expected to have anything given to me. I have always worked hard for where I am in life & what I have. I am proud of that.
Part of me though; each time I struggle with the awkward & heavy aluminum ramp that I unfold & set up then load the children and fold back up the ramp & lift it back into the van —I secretly close my eyes & just wish or pray that some angel in another vehicle see’s me struggling & understands the blessing that this lift would be & is able to make it happen.
We are a special needs adoptive & foster family. We currently have 2 children (1 adopted & 1 foster child) that use a wheelchair for all transportation.
We attend multiple doctors appointments and try to involve both children in all family activities ranging from ball games, dinners out & activities in the community that they would also enjoy.
We are a large family of 2 parents, 2 biological children, 1 adopted son, 2 adults whom live with us with developmental disabilities who aged out of DCS care & 1 current Foster-daughter.
We purchased our large van in order to be able to provide transportation for each member of our family & fit each of us comfortably enabling us to do things as a family. Spending time with our family & seeing everyone enjoy activities together makes life so very happy.
Our thought and plan when purchasing our van was that we would find a used “mechanical wheelchair lift” and install it at an affordable rate. (We have seen these lifts on craigslist & even at Goodwill). Peace of cake right?!!?
Unfortunately, after over a year of looking & further researching, we have realized that this would be impossible as our van will require custom modification & installation of a wheel chair lift.
I (Mom) have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I do what I can to keep myself healthy and feeling well and take medications that do help with some of the pain but it is always there lingering. Some days are better than others. Having a lift will help me be careful with my body & not over exert myself.
Mobility Works in Lavergne TN has quoted us $12,000.00 before taxes and installation fees to modify our van’s rear bumper & install a wheelchair list in the rear of 2015 Ford Transit Passenger van (low roof line model).
This cost is something that we were not prepared for and completely blew us away. I thought I had everything figured out when I purchased the van. So now, here I am, continuing our journey to make this necessity become a reality.
I have reached out and applied for special needs grants & have gotten nowhere. Unfortunately there is not much funding for vehicle modifications which is what I have been told over and over by a multitude of programs.
Our families passion is caring for these children who need all the love we have to give. Caring for these children is most difficult but yes the most rewarding thing I have ever in my life done. But to be honest, I learn more from them than I could ever teach them.
Having an electric lift would make living life with these amazing yet challenging children so much easier. It may take me 2 years to reach this goal but I am determined.
I’ll be saving for this expensive endeavor. I do not nor have I ever expected to have anything given to me. I have always worked hard for where I am in life & what I have. I am proud of that.
Part of me though; each time I struggle with the awkward & heavy aluminum ramp that I unfold & set up then load the children and fold back up the ramp & lift it back into the van —I secretly close my eyes & just wish or pray that some angel in another vehicle see’s me struggling & understands the blessing that this lift would be & is able to make it happen.
Organizer
Marlyssa Manuel
Organizer
Smyrna, TN
