The Adams are a family of four living in Colony, Kansas, with a baby on the way. Ethan Adams (11), was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at six years old, resulting in weakening muscles and more physical challenges as he gets older. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder causing a lack of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
Ethan lives with his parents, Alisha and Mitchell, and sister, Elaine (7). The family has struggled to get Ethan to school every day and to any family outings as his power wheelchair did not fit in their vehicle. Ethan’s parents had to lift him out of the house, into the car, and back out into a manual wheelchair to go anywhere. “This can be upwards of four or five times per day and is not very safe for us,” exclaims Alisha.
In search of freedom for their son and safety for the whole family, the Adams reached out to Jett Foundation for support. As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Adams family fundraised half of necessary funds for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation stepped in to cover remaining costs and purchased the van.
On June 19, 2024, Ethan and his family hit the open road as one unit in their new accessible van. Ethan can now safely travel in his power wheelchair, providing him with more independence and freedom.
The Jett Giving Fund program has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country since its inaugural cycle in 2017, gifting over $4.5 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, Finn’s Friends, the Flatley Foundation , the Killian Family, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, Michael’s Cause, Ryan’s Quest, PJ’s Protocol, and Sarepta Therapeutics.
To assist families impacted by Duchenne through the Accessible Vehicle Fund, Emergency Fund, and Equipment Assistance Fund, you can donate today or reach 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.
