On May 19th, 2026, surrounded by community members, friends, and supporters, the Rhodes family received a life-changing gift: an accessible van achieved through Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund program. The celebration took place at a park by the family’s local school – a fitting setting for a moment centered on connection, access, and mobility.
For the Rhodes family, the need for reliable, accessible transportation has been a daily reality shaped by complex medical needs. With five children at home in Nebraska and two boys (Layne and Maverick) living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, transportation wasn’t just about convenience. It was about safety, dignity, and the ability to move through everyday life with less strain.
Long-distance trips to Denver for medical specialist care were a key part of their routine, and also one of the greatest logistical challenges. The family shared how deeply they hoped for support as they navigated the demands of care, travel, and daily life, leaning on faith and community throughout the process.
They shared: “With our faith in God, and help from so many organizations and community members, we prayed that we would be accepted into the program to assist us with our fundraising efforts.”
Now, with their new accessible van, the family can focus less on the physical strain of transportation and more on the moments that matter along the way. The impact is immediate and practical: fewer transfers, safer travel, and more flexibility for everyday routines.
“I’m excited to have the option to take the kids to school if we want, or even just an outing to run errands,” says the boys’ mom Lisa. “With the accessible van it will take the strain off of the boys’ bodies and our bodies since we won’t need to transfer them into a different seat to be buckled in.”
The benefits extend beyond convenience. The van also improves safety and reduces physical demands on caregivers, especially when managing mobility equipment.
“This vehicle will improve the safety of all caregivers and the boys. We won’t have to load and unload a 60lb ramp multiple times a day and the hoyer lift can stay at home. Anyone will be able to take Layne and Maverick places in the van.”
With this support, the family can now more easily manage everyday errands, school transportation, medical travel, and even the possibility of family vacations – experiences that often require significant planning when accessibility is limited.
The delivery at Conns Park marked a shift in what is possible for the Rhodes family moving forward. With greater independence, safer travel, and reduced physical strain, this gift will support not only daily routines but also long-term connection, mobility, and family experiences together.
Jett Foundation remains committed to helping families impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy gain access to essential transportation, ensuring that mobility is not a barrier to care, community, or everyday life.
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 $6.5 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, Permobil, 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.
