Fundraising for an Accessible Van
Timothy Kim (11) is a boy from La Habra, California. Diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at a young age, Timothy requires 24/7 care from his parents, Elizabeth and John. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
Timothy requires full assistance with transporting himself both in-and-out of the home. Challenges to move Timothy are heightened by his mom’s cardiac condition (AVM) and his dad’s recent stroke in December of 2022. Elizabeth recently lost her employment because of their challenges and needing to care for both John and Timothy at home.
As a single-income household, the Kim family only has one car, which is unfit for Timothy’s power wheelchair; their only options are to use Timothy’s manual wheelchair or not take him outside of the house at all. Before John’s stroke, he would do most of the difficult lifting to get Timothy in the car.
Elizabeth says, “We rely heavily on neighbors and anyone who can help in our two hour process to get to school or appointments. Getting an accessible van would mean we can travel as a family again and go places that other families do.”
One of Timothy’s teachers, Mrs. Atkinson, referred the Kim Family to Jett Foundation for assistance and resources. As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Kim Family will aim to raise half the funds needed, or more, for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation steps in to cover the remaining costs and purchase the vehicle outright.
“We are physically and mentally not in a great place,” says Elizabeth. “Ever since Timothy stopped walking in 2019, we have struggled to feel like we’re actually living. Timothy and I are getting weaker and weaker which makes everything around us very hard. Any help that you can give would be amazing.”
The Kim Family has completed their fundraising and received their accessible vehicle! Thank you to all who supported the family in their fundraising efforts.
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. Please note that your contribution will be combined with other Jett Giving Fund donations to ensure that each of the children in the Jett Giving Fund initiative benefit from your generosity.
