Navigating life with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has created many challenges for 12-year-old Liam Goss and his family, especially relying on a power wheelchair for independence. Until now, every Goss family outing required manual lifting, exposed wheelchair trailers, and limited travel. Oftentimes, Liam, his siblings, and his parents (Collin and Crystal) had to split up or stay home entirely.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a lack of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund, those challenges are now over. The Goss family successfully raised their portion of the vehicle’s cost through Jett’s Accessible Vehicle Fund program before Jett Foundation covered remaining expenses and coordinated the delivery.
On Saturday, June 28th, the Goss family ecstatically received their wheelchair-accessible van. Surrounded by those who love them, the Goss family celebrated a major milestone in their journey.
“As a mom, every trip requires other people. The concept of just the two of us is lost, and that is heartbreaking,” Crystal shares. “This vehicle changes that and opens the world back up to us!”
Now, Crystal can say yes to those moments again. From daily errands to school drop-offs, medical appointments, and family adventures, this van gives the Goss family flexibility – something they’ve long been without.
Liam, who has a big spirit and excitement for the little things in life, finally has a vehicle that can keep up with him and his needs. As the family wrapped up their celebration in Grapevine on June 28, the van sat in the driveway, representing a renewed sense of possibility.
The Accessible Vehicle Fund is a branch of Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund program and 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.
