On October 3, the Durst family celebrated a long-awaited moment that will make school, medical appointments, and everyday life more accessible. Michael and Harry Durst, brothers from Exton, Pennsylvania, both live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and have faced ongoing transportation challenges. Thanks to Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund, the family received a new accessible van at Cardington Fire Company, allowing them to travel more safely and easily than before.
Jonathan and Carol, Michael and Harry’s parents, previously had to disassemble a manual wheelchair and navigate a heavy power wheelchair every time the family left the house. Over time, loading this equipment became increasingly difficult, leaving Jonathan and Carol worried about injury. These transportation barriers made it hard for the family to enjoy simple outings together.
The Durst family eventually became participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund. Through the program, families work to raise half or more of the funds needed for an accessible vehicle, and Jett Foundation covers the rest. With help from generous donors like the Upper Darby Professional Firefighters, Firefighters on a Mission, Fred’s Footsteps, and the Trooper Branden Sisca Foundation, the family was able to take an important step towards greater independence. Now, the Dursts can look forward to family outings again, from trips to local parks and fishing spots to everyday errands.
Jonathan says he and his family are incredibly grateful, and that the new van marks the beginning of a new chapter. “If I don’t say it enough, our family really appreciates all the time and effort that has gone into making this a reality,” he says.
For others facing similar challenges, Jonathan’s message is simple: Never give up, help is out there.
Congratulations, Michael and Harry! We’re so happy to celebrate this exciting milestone with your family and can’t wait to see all the memories you’ll make along the way.
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 it opened in 2017, gifting over $7.5 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, ITF Therapeutics , Sarepta Therapeutics , Austin’s Hope , Catalyst Pharmaceuticals , Finn’s Friends , Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, The Killian Family, Michael’s Cause, Robert E. & Marie Orr Smith Foundation, Numotion, 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.
