On June 7, the McQuade family gathered at Skyline Restaurant in Westfield, Massachusetts, to celebrate a milestone years in the making: the delivery of their new accessible van through Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund. Surrounded by family, friends, members of the Westfield Police Department, Jett staff, and supporters who helped make the journey possible, the day marked the beginning of a new chapter of freedom and opportunity for Darren McQuade and his family.
Darren, 13, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 2016. Like many families navigating Duchenne, the McQuades have spent years adapting to changing mobility needs while doing everything possible to keep Darren involved in the activities and experiences he loves.
The need for accessible transportation became even more urgent after Darren suffered a leg fracture. While the family knew an accessible vehicle would eventually be necessary, the sudden change accelerated their timeline and highlighted just how challenging transportation had become. Without a vehicle capable of accommodating Darren’s properly fitted power wheelchair, routine activities, medical appointments, and community events required significant planning and physical effort.
“When Darren fell and broke his leg, we knew things were going to become more complex when it came to Darren getting around,” shared his father, Steven. “He already loved to be active in events and the community, and without his power wheelchair, he was going to be limited in what he could continue to do. This new van would allow him to continue doing what he loves and open up a whole new world of possibilities.”
For Darren, those possibilities include both familiar activities and exciting new adventures. He has remained active through programs like Volt Hockey and has his sights set on trying Para-Olympic target shooting and returning to additional adaptive sports opportunities. The family is also eager to travel more together, with destinations like Niagara Falls and California’s Redwood Forest already on Darren’s growing bucket list.
The celebration in Westfield was about much more than a vehicle. It was a gathering of the community that rallied around the McQuades throughout their fundraising journey. Friends, relatives, local supporters, and members of the Westfield Police Department joined together to witness the moment Darren rolled into the van that will help make so many future memories possible.
“As a family, we don’t have a whole lot, but what we do have is what’s most important,” Steven shared. “We look forward to being able to be more involved and stretch our wings better going forward. It’s been great meeting more families in the Duchenne community with this process, and we look forward to more.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors, supporters, and the dedication of the McQuade family, Darren now has safe, reliable transportation that allows him to travel in the wheelchair designed to meet his needs. More importantly, he has greater access to the experiences, activities, and adventures that make life meaningful.
Congratulations to Darren and the entire McQuade family on this well-deserved milestone. We can’t wait to see where the journey takes you next!
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.