Raising Funds for an Accessible Van
The Hoot Family lives in Aurora, Colorado, and faces many challenges that come with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis each day. Ethan Hoot (11) was diagnosed with Duchenne at three years old. He is cared for by his parents, Nate and Joy, and has two older sisters, Kelsey and Olivia.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Ethan is also hypermobile, which has accelerated the impact Duchenne has on his body. Nate and Joy struggle to manually lift him in and out of the home and into their vehicle.
“We love being outdoors as a family, but this has become more difficult now that transferring Ethan into our vehicle is risking our health and Ethan’s safety,” says Nate. “It’s concerning to transport Ethan in our current vehicle and each time we get in the car we pray we arrive safely.”
The family applied to the Jett Giving Fund in hopes of being able to bring Ethan out of the house for family activities, medical appointments, and to safely bring Ethan’s power chair with him, which he relies on for independence, stability, and comfortability.
As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Hoot Family will aim to raise half or more of the funds needed for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation steps in to cover the remaining costs and purchase the vehicle outright.
Joy shares, “Ethan also struggles emotionally and behaviorally due to Duchenne’s daily challenges and unpredictability… having an accessible van will alleviate some of his worries and open up more transportation opportunities for him and our family.”
The Hoot family looks forward to being able to safely drive to camp for families with disability each summer, which provides a special outlet for Ethan and a chance to build community with others navigating disability. Ethan is also excited to increase his participation in afterschool activities, such as chess club and his upcoming musical theater production, “Newsies.”
The Hoot family has met their fundraising goal and received accessible transportation thanks to supporters like you! You can still support our program and future program participants with a gift to Jett Foundation today:
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All donations to Jett Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under applicable law and is an unrestricted contribution to the Jett Giving Fund. The family is working to raise half the funds needed for their van or more; when they reach their goal, Jett Foundation will cover the remaining costs and coordinate purchase and delivery of the vehicle.
