Raising Funds for an Accessible Van
The Barnes Family lives in Wetumpka, Alabama, and faces many challenges that come with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis each day. Dallas Barnes (12) was diagnosed with Duchenne at five years old and has lost his ability to walk completely. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
Dallas lives with his father Jeremy, step-mother Jennifer, and three siblings, Emma (13), Ammy (11), and Frankie (2).
Jennifer has recently undergone back surgery due to the physical toll that caring for Dallas brings. Dallas must be lifted in and out of their vehicle, into his bed, and into his wheelchair frequently throughout the day. Maneuvering medical accessibility equipment has also impacted Jennifer and Jeremy.
“Our family has to take shifts whenever we go anywhere,” says Jennifer. “We have received help from family and neighbors to go some places, but traveling each day has become a nightmare, and it has become unsafe for Dallas to travel with us.”
A lack of safe and accessible transportation impacts Dallas’ ability to participate in activities with peers or enjoy quality time with family. “An accessible vehicle would give Dallas his own freedom and independence while being in a wheelchair, not to mention the family being able to travel together again,” says Jeremy.
As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Barnes Family will aim to raise half or more of the funds needed for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation steps in to cover the remaining costs and purchase the vehicle outright.
“Dallas wants to see the whole world. His dream is to one day visit New York City,” says Jennifer. “We appreciate everyone’s help in making that happen for him.”
You can help Dallas attain the freedom and independence he deserves by contributing toward their fundraising goal below!
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.
Support the Barnes Family with a donation today!
About Jett Giving Fund’s Accessible Vehicle Fund
Jett Giving Fund is Jett Foundation’s financial assistance program for families impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are in need of accessible vehicles or emergency support. As part of the Accessible Vehicle Fund, families fundraise half the funds needed or more for an accessible vehicle, and Jett Foundation covers the remaining costs once they reach their goal.
If other resources have already been used to meet a specific need, if there is no longer a specific need, and/or if donations have been received in excess of a specific need, donations made in furtherance of a specific need will be applied for general purposes of the Jett Giving Fund. If the Jett Giving Fund no longer exists, all donations will be applied to further the general charitable mission of Jett Foundation.
