Greg’s Wheelchair Accessible Van Fund
November 23, 2015
Same Difference received this email yesterday from reader Greg Wickenburg.
Hello fellow Blog readers. I was hoping the community out there might be able to help me out. When I was 17, in 1982, I was a passenger in an automobile accident that left me a C5 quadriplegic. I can’t use my hands or legs so I have to use an electric wheelchair. I drive it using a joystick.
My 20-year old van has started costing more in upkeep than it’s worth. I’m sure you all know, wheelchair accessible vans or anything having to do with disabilities or medical issues often cost outrageous sums of money. Like most people, I can not afford a new van. So I started a gofundme page to try and help raise funds.
I’m hoping to raise enough for a newer used van, but would love to raise enough for a new van. Though my fantasy would be to raise enough to get a van I could actually drive myself with a joystick, just like the one on my wheelchair. But this equipment is so costly, it may forever be just a fantasy. Being dependant on others for almost everything, it would be life changing to be able to drive myself to doctor appointments, or even just being able to go to a friend’s house without family having to take me.
Not only do I need a new van for mechanical reasons, but for health reason also. A person with a spinal cord injury can not regulate their body temp very well. Though I am most often too cold (My ave body temp is 96.5), in the Phoenix summers I can and often do get overheated. This causes something called AD (Autonomic Dysreflexia). That leads to dangerously high blood pressure, among other things. It can be very bad news. My current van only as AC in the front, not in the back where I sit in my chair. And the AC it does have in front is not very good.
I would be so grateful if the blog community could help donate anything to my Gofundme account, and or share the link on your Social Media to help get the word out. It could make a huge difference in my life. Every little donation can help a lot.
You can see my gofundme page at: https://www.gofundme.com/qe6wk5jg
I thank you so much, any questions you can e-mail me at:
Greg Wickenburg vanfund@cox.net
4 Comments
leave one →





Reblogged this on perfectlyfadeddelusions.
LikeLike
I thank you so much for posting this and want everyone to know just how much I appreciate even the smallest donation. If enough people can donate $10 or even $5, it can really add up. Who knows, if enough people give just a few bucks, I might be driving again after 30 years. Dreams can come true. Greg
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for putting your comment so beautifully, Greg. Hope you reach your target! Best wishes, Samedifference1.
LikeLike
I donated. Every little bit helps. If everyone donates $5 to $10 what’s seems like the impossible can turn into the very possible. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person