The Benson Family of Goodyear, Arizona are participants in the 2023 Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund. The family has three boys diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Elijah (12), Maxwell (8), and Luke (6), as well as a daughter, Claire (10). Their parents are Jonathon and Jessica.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
The Accessible Vehicle Fund allows Jett Foundation to partner with qualifying families impacted by Duchenne to raise funds for this important and costly item. “We applied to the Accessible Vehicle Fund because the boys are currently in chairs full time and are non-ambulatory,” says Jonathon Benson, the boys’ dad. “We currently take two vehicles everywhere we go and our schedule can get very crazy. It can take days just to attend their Duchenne appointments.”
On September 24, 2023, the Benson Family finally took off in their new safe and accessible vehicle. Jonathon says, “We most look forward to traveling together as a family now. We will also be able to take family vacations with all the equipment we need to maintain our boys’ mobility independence.”
As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Benson Family fundraised a little more than half the funds needed for their accessible vehicle. Jett Foundation then stepped in to cover remaining costs and coordinate purchase of the vehicle with the help of partner organizations.
The Benson Family celebrated their van delivery together with enthusiasm and with a huge weight taken off their shoulders. “This will make our quality of life much better,” says Jonathon. “I never knew the true meaning of a superhero until I witnessed my boys living with Duchenne. The obstacles and challenges that they overcome on a daily basis is incredible. They are the real heroes, and I am humbled to be able to share my life with them.”
Established in 2017, Jett Giving Fund has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country with over $3.5 million worth of accessible equipment and emergency assistance thanks to the generous support of individual donors, local communities, and major sponsors including Cure Dale’s Duchenne, Finn’s Friends, the Flatley Foundation, the Killian Family, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, Michael’s Cause, Ryan’s Quest, Sarepta Therapeutics, and Ultragenyx.
You can help us to support more families through the two branches of Jett Giving Fund: the Accessible Vehicle Fund and the Emergency Fund. Donate today or learn more about becoming a sponsor by emailing info@jettfoundation.org.
If you or someone you know is in need of support or would like more information on our Jett Giving Fund, please visit https://www.jettfoundation.org/giving-fund/.
