On July 19th, 2025, the Anderson family of Royse City, Texas, celebrated more than just the arrival of a new vehicle – they celebrated a brand-new chapter of independence, comfort, and possibility.
Thanks to Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund and the generous support of their community, Amanda and Carl Anderson, along with their 9-year-old son Alex, were awarded a fully accessible van that will transform the way they live, travel, and connect with the world.
Alex lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and uses a power wheelchair full-time. Before receiving their new van, every trip required physically lifting Alex and his heavy power wheelchair in and out of a standard vehicle – an exhausting, painful, and sometimes impossible task. “I had back surgery a few years ago,” Amanda shared. “I physically can’t lift him anymore, so my husband, Carl, has taken on that responsibility entirely. But the strain on his back is becoming more and more painful.”
For the Andersons, life was filled with limitations: painful school bus rides, missed appointments, and canceled outings simply because transportation wasn’t feasible. “Even fun things, like going to a birthday party or grabbing dinner out, had to be carefully planned around whether both of us were available to lift him,” Amanda said. “We reached the point where we couldn’t keep doing it like this.”
That all changed with the arrival of their new accessible van.
“This van isn’t just a vehicle to us, it’s independence, safety, and peace of mind. It’s time together without strain. It’s giving Alex a chance to fully participate in the world around him.”
Now, the Andersons are most excited to reclaim the simple joys that many families take for granted: family dinners, spontaneous road trips, and pain-free transportation to school, therapy, and doctor appointments. “We’re most looking forward to going on family vacations again without the stress, pain, or planning gymnastics that used to come with transporting Alex,” Amanda said. “Whether it’s visiting the mountains in Colorado, exploring wildlife habitats, or just taking a weekend drive to a new town, we can finally focus on making memories, not managing logistics.”
To families still in the fundraising phase of their Accessible Vehicle Fund journey, Amanda offered heartfelt encouragement: “Don’t lose hope. Be active on social media, share your story often and from the heart. Take it day by day. You will get there, and when you do, it will change everything.”
As the Andersons drive into this next chapter, they carry with them a deep sense of gratitude and a renewed ability to say “yes” to experiences, connection, and the beauty of the everyday.
“The van may have wheels,” Amanda reflected, “but what it truly gives us is the ability to move forward together, and without fear.”
The Accessible Vehicle Fund is a branch of Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund program and has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country since its inaugural cycle in 2017, gifting over $5.5 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, The Flatley Foundation, Sarepta Therapeutics, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Finn’s Friends, ITF Therapeutics, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, The Killian Family, Michael’s Cause, Robert E. & Marie Orr Smith Foundation, and Ryan’s Quest.
You can assist families impacted by Duchenne through the Accessible Vehicle Fund, Emergency Fund, and Equipment Assistance Fund by donating today or reaching 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.
