The Hewitt family of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is celebrating a life-changing milestone: the arrival of their very own accessible vehicle! After successfully fundraising their portion of the vehicle and with support from Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund sponsors, their long-awaited van has finally arrived, opening the door to safer, easier travel and new adventures.
For a single mom of five (Keegan and Killian (9), Finnian (8), Hannah (20), and Ryan (23)), this van is more than just transportation to Amanda Hewitt. It’s a relief, independence, and possibility.
“I am a single parent to five kids,” Amanda shares. “I looked into all my options to get a safe and reliable van. I tried converting my van, thought I had looked at all options. None of them worked for us. As Killian ages, it has become harder and harder for me to lift and transfer him into the van. The toll of lifting him has been a huge physical strain on me.”
Killian, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, used to rely on a 70lb electric travel chair when out and about. Though manageable for him, the chair is nearly impossible for his mom to lift repeatedly on her own. “I even spent $500 to get him a small travel chair so he could still control his life when we are out,” she says.
After years of trying, in 2024, she submitted Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund application. “I tried to apply before, but never finished. This year I took the leap… and we were accepted!”
With help from their community and generous local donors, the Hewitt family successfully fundraised their portion of the vehicle’s cost. Jett Foundation then covered the remaining expenses and purchased the vehicle.
Jett Foundation is grateful to our program sponsors, such as Ryan’s Quest and Micheal’s Cause, who have been supporting this program since 2017. “On behalf of our son Michael and Michael’s Cause, we are happy to be a part of the funding for the Hewitt family,” says Rob Capolongo, father of Michael. “From all of us at Ryan’s Quest, we were deeply moved by the Hewitt family’s story and grateful to be able to help them receive this van,” Said Dave Schultz, father of Ryan.
The impact is immediate: “I will no longer have to lift a 148lb child into the van, and then his 70lb travel chair. Killian can sit in his van and be warm in the winter, out of the rain and snow, instead of sitting in a tent while waiting for the bus. It will be a more pleasurable experience to take him out instead of dreading the lifting and pain I’ll be in later,” says Amanda.
The family is already planning road trips and outings they once thought impossible. “We are doing a road trip, getting out more, and not feeling like life is impossible… Killian looks forward to using his power wheelchair more. And no more mud puddles to get to the bus stop in his wheelchair!”
Beyond the vehicle itself, the Hewitts are grateful for the support system they’ve found in the Duchenne community. “We all have our own struggles and challenges, but this is an amazing community always willing to help no matter what. They aren’t afraid to share advice, regardless of the good or ugly. I want to encourage others to join Facebook groups and social networks. You never know who will change your life!”
Jett Foundation is honored to be part of the Hewitts’ journey and proud to support families like theirs through the Accessible Vehicle Fund.
Congratulations to the Hewitt family! We can’t wait to see where the road takes you next.
The Jett Giving Fund program 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.
