JRA Disabled 27 Year Old Seeks Help For Fledgling Flea Market Business

by Ivan Rodriguez
(Palm Coast, FL, USA)

My name is Ivan Rodriguez. I am 27 years old. Since the age of two, I have been disabled by juvenile ruminative arthritis, or JRA.

I was born in New York, and lived with my parents and an older sister and younger brother. On our doctor's recommendation, we moved to Florida for the better weather.

I have been in a wheelchair and in and out of hospitals my whole life. My New York doctors replaced both my knees and hips so I could try to walk.

My goal in life is to become more independent. I had bought a house, which I likely lose. I cannot work because I've been sick.

I have been in college and I'm almost done with my two-year degree. I want to become a CPA. I cannot finish tough because I have no car to go to UCF in Orlando, which is where I have to go to complete my mission.

In the meantime, I have moved back into my parents' house and I'm trying to establish a small business reselling perfume/cologne.

I am working on getting my wholesaler license so that I can get into the flea market and start it up.

I know one thing about life. It takes money to make it, which I cannot do because I can't just go out and get a job or a car like most people in the world we live in.

I think once I get into the flea market, I can make it work. I have other ideas for making money by also selling men's dress wear, like suits and hats, etc.

If I can come up with the money or if someone can help me with my goals the first thing I want to save for is to get a car to drive so that I can finish my college career.

I got my younger brother and father and mother who can help me with the flea market in town, which is right near the house.

I am also going to try to get on eBay as well. I figure the more I come in contact with people, the better my odds are.

If there is any grant that I qualify for please let me know by commenting here at Accessible.Org. Thank you for reading my story.