Unsafe, unfit, unreliable – three words Logan Tribble (13) and his mother, Michelle, have used to describe their recent transportation situation. Logan was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at seven years old, gradually losing the ability to walk and control his muscles.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Logan is entirely dependent on his mother for everyday care and transportation as he navigates life in a power wheelchair.
Michelle shares, “With the vehicle we had, I was worried we would become stranded or not make it in time for one of Logan’s medical appointments. Logan also gets nervous loading onto a school bus using a lift. It’s heartbreaking because Logan loves to explore the outdoors and he’s already so limited on how he can do that.”
One of Logan’s favorite things to do each summer is attend Jett Foundation’s Camp Promise, a summer camp for kids, teens, and adults with neuromuscular disorders. However, getting to and from the Rocky Mountain campground became increasingly difficult, in addition to everyday activities.
Jett Foundation pointed the Tribble family in the direction of our Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, a program that partners with families to raise funds for vital transportation equipment. Thanks to their community, Logan and Michelle raised half of the funds for their vehicle before Jett Foundation completed the purchase and delivery.
The Tribble family was filled with relief and joy as they received their van in December of 2024. Michelle says, “I am very happy that we now don’t have to worry about our vehicle breaking down or not making it to appointments. I had been reluctant to travel away from our home, but now, I can take Logan to explore Oklahoma and the rest of the outdoors.”
The Jett Giving Fund program has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country since its inaugural cycle in 2017, gifting over $4.5 million worth of accessible vehicles, small medical equipment, and emergency assistance thanks to the generous support of individual donors, local communities, and major sponsors including Cure Dale’s Duchenne, Austin’s Hope, Finn’s Friends, the Flatley Foundation, ITF Therapeutics, the Killian Family, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, Michael’s Cause, Ryan’s Quest, Nicholoff Family in honor of PJ’s Protocol, and Sarepta Therapeutics.
“My family is so grateful to be a sponsor of Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund,” says Brian Nicholoff, founder of PJ’s Steroid Protocol. “We know first hand that an accessible vehicle is not a luxury, but a necessity for families.”
To assist families impacted by Duchenne through the Accessible Vehicle Fund, Emergency Fund, and Equipment Assistance Fund, you can donate today or reach out to Maura Carroll, Director of Development, at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
If you or someone you know is in need of support or would like more information on our Jett Giving Fund, please visit www.jettfoundation.org/giving-fund.
