Raising Funds for an Accessible Van
The Valdez-Ramirez Family lives in Fairview, New Jersey, and is currently navigating a life with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis. Josvin Valdez-Ramirez (14) was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at a young age and has faced many challenges ever since. Josvin is cared for by his parents, Nestor and Glendi, and has a younger brother, Jordy (7).
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. The family struggles to make it through their daily routine of navigating the home, getting to and from school, or attending medical appointments due to the toll Duchenne places on Josvin’s body. Josvin has been hospitalized four times within the last year due to respiratory illnesses alone. He is heavy, unable to walk, and relies on a power wheelchair to move about, which requires his parents to lift him when leaving the home.
“Josvin has fallen before and it is impossible for me to pick him back up,” says his mother, Glendi. “Sometimes, there are people who can help me, but to rely on others is not safe. With an accessible vehicle, we would not have to worry about him falling or not being able to leave the home.”
The Valdez-Ramirez Family currently does not have a reliable vehicle to attend Josvin’s important medical appointments or help him get to school. Josvin has an upcoming surgery that the family worries they will not be able to attend safely. The family is also limited to their home when spending quality time with one another since leaving is a risk each time.
“A new vehicle would be life-changing,” shares Glendi. “Josvin is an incredibly sweet, kind, helpful, determined, and artistic boy leading with his heart in everything he does, despite his terminal illness. He has never let health challenges get in the way of his warm presence at school, welcoming all students or achieving his dreams of becoming an artist one day. Despite Josvin’s positive attitude, he has not been able to avoid the inevitable as his skeletal muscles, heart, and lungs continue to decline. We appreciate any help you can provide.”
The Valdez-Ramirez 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.
