Sara's Wheelchair Van Fund
Donation protected
**THE PLAN & GOAL FOR THIS CAMPAIGN HAS CHANGED** **It is now more so a "Van Repair Fund". To read our update about this, look under "Updates" tab or "Read Latest Update"** THANK YOU!
My name is Sara Jo Fike and I am 25 years old. At a very young age, I was diagnosed with a form of hereditary neuropathy known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth or CMT (under what is known as the umbrella of Muscular Dystrophy). It's a disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system leading to progressive muscle loss and weakness as well as decreased muscle size. I need a lot of assistance to get through my day and do everyday tasks. This includes being driven anywhere I may need to go. I thank God I have my parents helping me through each moment, twist and turn, of life. My mother is my driver (quite literally). Just recently, our old trusty van (I will call Beauty 'cause that's what my mom calls her) mom uses to lug me and my father around has broken down and it feels like deja vu. (This van has had many mechanical problems over the years.) Although it has had many repairs though, I am so grateful we were able to enjoy it for so long. We also had another van we would use during the times this van would break down, but it has died completely. My dad is pretty smart with vehicles and he has tried just about everything to fix it with no luck. My family has limited funding to go further with expensive repairs on Beauty. We live in a very small town in the country far from neccessities and right now we can't go anywhere. For years we have been struggling with the ups and downs of unreliable vehicles. With my dad and I both affected by CMT, my family needs a reliable double wheelchair accessible van for things such as doctor appointments, grocery runs, and other errands. We would really appreciate any help what-so-ever to purchase a family van. It is a big dream of mine to provide my family with a reliable vehicle that could last for years to come. I know it's a big dream but I think it could be done with all of your help. Thank You. <3
UPDATE 12/14/14:
We got Beauty running again with some minor repairs at our local mechanic shop. Our neighbor helped us tow it there. However, it still needs a lot of work. It is touch and go and we are all scared to drive it far distances for fear of it breaking down but I guess we may have to risk driving the 45 minute trip to our nearest shopping center because we need groceries, supplies, and to do some Christmas shopping. Please pray everything works out for us.
There is also an update on our donations. We have recieved a few personal donations from family and friends by check and are choosing to place it in a seperate bank account for now because they choose not to donate over the internet. So far, we have recieved a $50.00 donation from my uncle and aunt (Thank You!), $50.00 from Gail G. (Thank You! ), $100.00 from Judy L. (Thank You!), and $500.00 from Sheila V. (Thank You!). Thank you sooo much to everyone who donated and shared our campaign! Bless you all and we appreciate each and every one of you.
UPDATE 4/19/15:
We have decided to lower the goal amount to $25,000.00 because it seems more attainable right now. We understand that this amount isn't going to allow us to purchase a new full-size wheelchair van but it may give us a good start at purchasing something that will work for us. We can use whatever amount we get for a good down payment on something and that way, have a manageable monthly payment or add a brand new motor to our old spare van (the one that died and just needs a new motor). We currently have no running vehicles right now so we are stuck. :( Thanks to all those who continue to share our page and support us! <3
Just a little background on Beauty:
She is an '87 Chevy GMC full-size van with raised roof and we got her from a local charity known as The Shannon Lewis Heart Fund when I was about 12. They gave us the van after another local medical charity contacted us about them. The SLHF requested a letter from us to explain our situation, and about a year later, they contacted us to tell us they had a used van to give us. It was an answer to our prayers and just what we needed at the time. We will forever be grateful.
Shannon Lewis' legacy lives on through her charity as well as blessing families in need.
My name is Sara Jo Fike and I am 25 years old. At a very young age, I was diagnosed with a form of hereditary neuropathy known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth or CMT (under what is known as the umbrella of Muscular Dystrophy). It's a disorder that affects the peripheral nervous system leading to progressive muscle loss and weakness as well as decreased muscle size. I need a lot of assistance to get through my day and do everyday tasks. This includes being driven anywhere I may need to go. I thank God I have my parents helping me through each moment, twist and turn, of life. My mother is my driver (quite literally). Just recently, our old trusty van (I will call Beauty 'cause that's what my mom calls her) mom uses to lug me and my father around has broken down and it feels like deja vu. (This van has had many mechanical problems over the years.) Although it has had many repairs though, I am so grateful we were able to enjoy it for so long. We also had another van we would use during the times this van would break down, but it has died completely. My dad is pretty smart with vehicles and he has tried just about everything to fix it with no luck. My family has limited funding to go further with expensive repairs on Beauty. We live in a very small town in the country far from neccessities and right now we can't go anywhere. For years we have been struggling with the ups and downs of unreliable vehicles. With my dad and I both affected by CMT, my family needs a reliable double wheelchair accessible van for things such as doctor appointments, grocery runs, and other errands. We would really appreciate any help what-so-ever to purchase a family van. It is a big dream of mine to provide my family with a reliable vehicle that could last for years to come. I know it's a big dream but I think it could be done with all of your help. Thank You. <3
UPDATE 12/14/14:
We got Beauty running again with some minor repairs at our local mechanic shop. Our neighbor helped us tow it there. However, it still needs a lot of work. It is touch and go and we are all scared to drive it far distances for fear of it breaking down but I guess we may have to risk driving the 45 minute trip to our nearest shopping center because we need groceries, supplies, and to do some Christmas shopping. Please pray everything works out for us.
There is also an update on our donations. We have recieved a few personal donations from family and friends by check and are choosing to place it in a seperate bank account for now because they choose not to donate over the internet. So far, we have recieved a $50.00 donation from my uncle and aunt (Thank You!), $50.00 from Gail G. (Thank You! ), $100.00 from Judy L. (Thank You!), and $500.00 from Sheila V. (Thank You!). Thank you sooo much to everyone who donated and shared our campaign! Bless you all and we appreciate each and every one of you.
UPDATE 4/19/15:
We have decided to lower the goal amount to $25,000.00 because it seems more attainable right now. We understand that this amount isn't going to allow us to purchase a new full-size wheelchair van but it may give us a good start at purchasing something that will work for us. We can use whatever amount we get for a good down payment on something and that way, have a manageable monthly payment or add a brand new motor to our old spare van (the one that died and just needs a new motor). We currently have no running vehicles right now so we are stuck. :( Thanks to all those who continue to share our page and support us! <3
Just a little background on Beauty:
She is an '87 Chevy GMC full-size van with raised roof and we got her from a local charity known as The Shannon Lewis Heart Fund when I was about 12. They gave us the van after another local medical charity contacted us about them. The SLHF requested a letter from us to explain our situation, and about a year later, they contacted us to tell us they had a used van to give us. It was an answer to our prayers and just what we needed at the time. We will forever be grateful.
Shannon Lewis' legacy lives on through her charity as well as blessing families in need.
Organizer
Sara Jo Fike
Organizer
Mossyrock, WA
