Connor (10), Xander (7) and Jayden (4) are brothers from Greenville, Ohio living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. All of the boys have autism and are cared for by their single mother, Becky.
The boys require wheelchairs and accessibility equipment due to their Duchenne diagnosis which makes getting to school, medical appointments, and other priorities difficult and unsafe. Manually lifting the boys into their vehicle takes an unfortunate toll on their bodies as well as their mother, Becky.
“Due to their autism and muscular dystrophy, I try extra hard to engage them in social activities and attend things that are special to them,” says Becky. “An accessible vehicle will allow us to do that, but safely.”
On March 14, 2024, the Partin-Rockwood Family celebrated the delivery of their new safe and accessible vehicle with family and friends at their home in Greenville, Ohio. “We are so happy to have a vehicle that is suitable for my three boys,” shares Becky. “I will now be able to get them to school, appointments, and functions when needed.”
Becky learned of the Jett Giving Fund through Jett Foundation’s Family Support Groups. As participants in the Accessible Vehicle Fund, the family raised half the funds needed for their vehicle through fundraisers, events, and community outreach. Jett Foundation then covered the remaining expenses and coordinated the purchase and delivery of the vehicle.
Austin’s Hope, a nonprofit based in Ohio that brings hope to those impacted by Duchenne, assisted the Partin-Rockwood Family by contributing toward their fundraising goal. Amber Nisley, founder of Austin’s Hope and mother to Austin Nisley who lives with Duchenne, shared what assisting members of the Duchenne community like the Partin-Rockwood Family means to them: “As a mom of a child with Duchenne, I know how impossible this journey can feel. Our family and organization want to help families in their day-to-day routine as there are many challenges they will face. Accessibility items, such as an accessible van, are often not easy to get. So, being able to make a family’s life just a little bit easier by contributing toward this van is exactly what Austin’s Hope strives to do.”
Established in 2017, Jett Giving Fund has helped transform the lives of countless families across the country with over $3.5 million worth of accessible 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, and Sarepta Therapeutics.
You can help us to support more families through the three branches of Jett Giving Fund: the Accessible Vehicle Fund, Emergency Fund, and Equipment Assistance Fund. Donate today or learn more about becoming a sponsor by emailing info@jettfoundation.org.
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.
