Fundraising for an Accessible Van
The Martinez Family lives in Rowlett, Texas and faces many challenges that come with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis. Victor (14) was diagnosed with Duchenne at five years old. He has three sisters, Carmen (19), Sofia (18), and Vivian (11). Victor also has extended family members that have been diagnosed with Duchenne.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
After Victor lost his ability to walk at age nine, the family has struggled to attend medical appointments, make the bus for school, and leave the home for any activities. They rely entirely on public transportation to leave their home.
Natalie, who is a single mother, says, “We are at the mercy of para-transits in Dallas and rely on them showing up on time or abiding by scheduling. I have been heartbroken by not being able to take Victor to things that his peers or other families do because of our driving situation.”
Food instability, home renovations, and other family challenges have also overwhelmed the Martinez Family at this very difficult stage of their Duchenne journey. They decided to take the first step by applying to the Jett Giving Fund.
As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, the Martinez 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.
Victor finds enjoyment in video games and studying geography, cartography (study of maps), and weather. “Since we can’t go many places, the computer seems to be an escape for him as it is with other boys who have Duchenne,” says Natalie. Safe and accessible transportation will kickstart Victor’s journey of exploring the things he studies.
When their family spends time together, they enjoy watching movies, catching up on life, and look forward to being able to travel more places as a group once receiving an accessible vehicle. “We are so excited to have found Jett Foundation and the Accessible Vehicle Fund,” says Natalie. “Having an accessible vehicle will change so much for Victor and our family.”
The Martinez Family has completed fundraising and will be receiving their accessible vehicle. Thank you for supporting Jett Foundation and our Jett Giving Fund participant families!
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.
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.
