On June 11, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at Fenner Farms in Boon, Michigan, the Mattzela family celebrated a life-changing milestone: the delivery of their brand-new wheelchair-accessible van. Thanks to the support of Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund (AVF), the Mattzelas now have a safe, reliable vehicle that will allow their two sons, Michael Levi (15) and Alexander (14), to participate more fully in family outings and everyday experiences.
The family of five – parents Tabatha and Michael, sons Michael and Alexander, and daughter Elizabeth – has always valued exploring the world together. Whether it’s day trips to parks, visits to museums, or casual errands, the Mattzelas find joy in the journey. But as Michael and Alexander’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy progressed, it became increasingly difficult for them to access the world around them without a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
“Our whole worldview changed when the boys were diagnosed,” says Tabatha. “It became clear that without a wheelchair-accessible van, our family’s ability to explore and participate in our community would be limited.”
Through the AVF branch of Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund, the Mattzelas received the critical support they needed to make mobility and independence possible. “We were shocked that we were accepted into the program!” shared Tabatha. “This program made it possible for us to get a wheelchair-accessible van.”
Now, everyday experiences that many take for granted – like going shopping together – are finally within reach for Michael and Alexander. “They usually can’t go with us because they can’t walk that long and that far,” Tabatha explained. “Now they’ll be able to bring their power chairs and use them at the store.”
The family is most excited about returning to the adventures they love. “We are beyond thrilled that we can provide the boys with independence by being able to take their power chairs on our adventures,” said Tabatha.
At the heart of the celebration at Fenner Farms was not just a vehicle, but a renewed sense of freedom, inclusion, and joy. The Fenner family are a popular global social media presence who document their life on the family farm, homeschooling their children and teaching valuable lessons through hard work. Their online presence helped bolster the Mattzela family to their fundraising goal, proving that generosity and friendship can change lives.
To families still on their journey to fund accessible equipment, Tabatha offered encouragement: “Keep going 🙂 And don’t underestimate the power of social media. I had huge responses from going live on Facebook.”
Most importantly, she shared a powerful message with the Duchenne community: “The disease takes everything from our children… we don’t have to let it take our joy, sense of adventure, and happiness.”
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 $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.
