For the Gushi family of Millerstown, Pennsylvania, life is a joyful, bustling adventure. With seven children ranging in age from nearly two to twenty, the Gushi family’s days are filled with laughter, learning, and love, all under one roof. As a homeschooling family, they spend much of their time together, exploring, creating, and building memories. But when it came to getting out into the community, they didn’t have an accessible vehicle to rely on.
Everett, who lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, uses a power chair for mobility, something that gives him independence, but also makes travel increasingly difficult.
That’s when the Gushi family turned to Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund, a branch of the Jett Giving Fund that helps families like theirs obtain reliable, wheelchair-accessible transportation.
Now, thanks to the incredible support of Jett Foundation’s donors and community partners, the Gushis are celebrating the delivery of their brand-new accessible van – a life-changing gift that opens the door to countless new experiences.
“This will give us and Everett a level of freedom that we have not had in the past,” says Gelaine Gushi. “It will make caring for Everett so much easier, giving him access to a vehicle without straining his muscles or needing someone else to lift him in. We can finally experience life together as a family as we go through Everett’s Duchenne journey.”
With their new van, the Gushis are already planning adventures near and far: visiting extended family across North America, taking Everett to the zoo and museums, and joining in youth events and family outings that were once too challenging to manage.
“We can finally respond with ‘YES!’ when Everett wants to be included,” Gelaine shares. “Simple things like going to the local state park or joining in an activity are no longer out of reach.”
To families who are still working toward their own accessible equipment, Gelaine offers heartfelt encouragement:
“Be open and honest with people, share details about your journey, and don’t assume there are inappropriate venues to share your goals. You never know who is listening or who can help.”
And to others in the Duchenne community, the Gushi family shares a powerful reminder to embrace each day:
“Duchenne is a difficult disease, and it’s easy to get caught up in fear of what the future may hold. But we’ve learned to focus on the here and now. Take it one day at a time, enjoy the moments you have, and look for what you can do together.”
Jett Foundation is honored to stand alongside families like the Gushis, helping provide the freedom, inclusion, and connection that accessible transportation makes possible.
Applications are currently being considered for the 2026 Accessible Vehicle Fund. These applications are due by November 21, 2025.
To learn more about Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund or to support a family in need, visit jettfoundation.org/giving-fund.
The Accessible Vehicle Fund is a branch of Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund program and 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.
