In the small town of Roundup, Montana, the Neal family – Gail, Shawn, and their two sons, Dusty and Ty – have long faced an uphill battle. Both boys live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and as they’ve grown, so have the physical and emotional challenges of everyday mobility.
For years, Gail and Shawn have been lifting their sons, each now weighing over 100 pounds, into and out of the family truck. Tasks as routine as going to school, attending appointments, or visiting family have required immense effort. “It has been hard to go to appointments, school, and see family due to having to physically lift them into our truck,” Gail shared. “This van will change our lives in many different ways.”
Thanks to the Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund and the generosity of the community, the Neal family received a safe and accessible vehicle on July 26th, designed to meet the needs of Dusty and Ty. This van now opens a world of independence and possibility for the family. At their celebration, the Neal family welcomed their new van alongside their closest family, friends, and community supporters.
With the new van, the boys can use their power chairs freely, allowing for everyday outings that were once difficult or impossible. “We are looking forward to using the boys’ power chairs to go shopping, going to appointments, go to school, and do fun stuff like go to the movies or to a park,” Gail said. “They can drive themselves, and I can just walk with them alongside them.”
One of the family’s most anticipated trips is to visit their grandmother in Nevada – a trip that’s now realistic and comfortable. “All our bodies will not hurt as much,” said Gail. “It will make it so the boys and I can go see grandma… we can go do fun stuff like going to a park so they can drive around and I can get some exercise.”
The Neal family’s story is one of perseverance, love, and transformation. With their new van, they’re not just gaining transportation: they’re gaining freedom, opportunity, and memories waiting to be made.
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.
