Fundraising for an Accessible Van
Two parents, seven children, one dog, and one cat creates a busy and loving household for the Gushi family of Millerstown, Pennsylvania. However, one thing stands in the way of navigating life as one family unit: safe and accessible transportation for their son, Everett, who is 11 years old living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder causing a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Doctors diagnosed Everett with Duchenne at just five years old, informing the Gushi family of challenges ahead for their whole family. Having lost his ability move independently, Everett relies on a power wheelchair and assistance from his parents to go anywhere.
His parents, Gelaine and Joseph, share: “Everett longs to be an outdoors kid and keep up with his brother, Caleb (8). Not only has Duchenne created those limitations, but we are forced to keep him from most activities while not having accessible transportation for him and his chair. It is not fun for any 11-year-old to just watch others participate.”
Everett is homeschooled by Gelaine and must be lifted by Joseph to attend medical appointments or hang with friends, creating a physical risk for the whole family. To go anywhere together, they are forced to split into two cars.
Through Duchenne conferences and resourceful doctors, the family connected with the team at Jett Foundation and the Jett Giving Fund program. As participants in the Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Gushi family is aiming to raise half or more of the necessary funds for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation covers the remaining expenses and purchases the vehicle outright.
The Gushi family has met their fundraising goal and received accessible transportation thanks to supporters like you! You can still support our program and future program participants with a gift to Jett Foundation today:
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All donations to Jett Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under applicable law and is an unrestricted contribution to the Jett Giving Fund. The family is working to raise half the funds needed for their van or more; when they reach their goal, Jett Foundation will cover the remaining costs and coordinate purchase and delivery of the vehicle.
