Fundraising for an Accessible Van
In 2014, Randy and Natalie Whisler’s world shifted when they were told their six-month-old son, Hunter, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder causing a lack of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Hunter, now 11, relies on a wheelchair to get around to most places.
Though Hunter will soon have more independence with a power wheelchair, his equipment weighs over 400 pounds and is impossible to transport in an everyday vehicle. Currently, the family has to manually transfer him in and out of their car, risking the safety of the whole family. Natalie shares, “I am a carrier of Duchenne and that brings on physical weakness. My husband also lives with chronic neck and back pain, making it that much more difficult to go places with Hunter.”
Hunter also lives with autism and ADHD, making his days and needs very complex. “He has a ginormous imagination and lives every day to the fullest with cousins and family,” shares his grandmother, Susan, who also helps care for Hunter. “But as we get older and Hunter gets bigger, it has become increasingly difficult and dangerous to bring him anywhere. Our days are best spent by the pool or at the zoo, but our only way to do that is by getting Hunter into accessible transportation through the Jett Giving Fund.”
The need for an accessible vehicle is critical for the Whisler family, who live in Waverly, Nebraska and travel to Denver, Colorado for medical appointments. Not only does an accessible van ensure Hunter receives timely medical care, but allows him to fully engage in life and enjoy the simple joys of childhood as he enters middle school.
Thankfully, after connecting with Jett Foundation through Facebook and Duchenne conferences, the family is now participating in the Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund to raise half or more of the necessary funds for their new accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation covers the remaining expenses and purchases the vehicle outright. The future now holds promise of family outings and accessible transportation to medical appointments.
The Whisler 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.
