Man Disabled By Muscular Dystrophy Seeks Grant Money For Handicap Minivan

by David French
(Spanish Fork, Utah, USA )

My name is David French I live in Spanish Fork, Utah. I have had Backers Muscular Dystrophy all of my life.

I'm writing to you today because I really need your help. I'm looking for a handicap minivan.

I can't afford to buy a new handicap minivan. I'm currently on disability, so I'm on a fixed income.

My wife is only able to work part time due to her health problems and she is partially disabled due to being hit by a car last year.

The finances of my family are limited. For my family to come up with the funds needed to purchase a new van is not possible.

I have tried to get a handicap van now for the past three years. It has been a long uphill battle for me to get the help that I really need.

The minivan I have is a 2001 Ford Windstar. I have a Bruno swivel seat that lowers up and down to transfer in and out of my wheelchair.

Due to my physical condition getting worse I’m not able to transfer in and out on my wheelchair into the Bruno seat.

Now my family has to keep lifting me in and out of the van. That really concerns me very much. I'm worried they will hurt their backs doing it.

That is why I need your help before that happens to a family member that I really love and care about. I don’t want them to have to suffer anymore.

Since I got my new wheelchair that does not come apart we have had to take one of the seats out of our van to make room for my wheelchair. We have to use two 2 x 8 wooden planks to get it into the van.

The problem of not having a handicap van for my needs is really starting to take a toll on my family. I spend sleepless nights worrying about that. My family is the most important thing to me in my life.

I have tried to get help from several different state and local agencies, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and United Way with no luck due to lack of funding, the failing economy, or they don’t cover handicap transportation needs.

I can’t go on dates or anywhere with my wife anymore, because my wife no longer can get the wheelchair in and out of van for me and put me into it.

Not having a handicap van is a very big challenge for my family. I don’t have the freedom and independence to live life to its fullest.

My family and I would be very appreciative of any financial assistance or help in getting available government grants.

We will always remember those who helped provide this chance at a better life by helping to purchase this handicap van. Thank you for your time and concern.