June 25, 2020

Derrick, Brandon, and I are so grateful to be able host a raffle through Help Hope Live!

We received 2 major donations to our raffle. Thank you so much to:

Claudia at Viva O Sol in Los Gatos

Keara at Do or Dye Salon in San Jose CA

Please consider donating and registering into the 3 raffles in August! There is a link to the left of this update called "Fundraisers, Raffle Tickets Here".

June 3, 2020

SCARED, HUNGRY, TIRED, NEED to use the restroom, and grateful! Please allow me to paint a picture of the HEALTH and SAFETY issues Derrick faces without a powerchair accessible vehicle followed by our gratitude for the community:

Dear Supporters,

Yesterday, at about 7:00am, Derrick and I were driving on Southbound 101. We were stuck in gridlock traffic behind a semi-truck that had just turned over. Our car battery began to die while we idled behind the accident. Just after we passed the accident our car stalled on the freeway. We were able to pull into the center divide where we called AAA for a tow truck.

We were both very scared until the CHP towtruck arrived to drive us to safety. I will post a picture of the scene behind us as we waited in the car on the freeway.

The CHP towtruck driver was only allowed to drive us and our car to a safe location, just off the closest freeway exit. There he dropped us off with our broken down vehicle. We then waited for AAA to come with another tow truck to take our vehicle to a repair shop.

At this point we were still very scared, hungry, and needed to use the restroom. Even though we were now in a PERCEIVED safe location, with resources like food, water, and bathrooms nearby, Derrick was faced with the INABILITY to access them. He was not able to ambulate to the nearby locations. It suddenly dawned on me that we truly NEED Derrick's powerchair with us while we are away from home.

For the 7+ hours that we were without a vehicle, and in a different city than our home, we were extremely limited to essential resources such as food, water, bathrooms, and safety. The reality, that Derrick's limitations and need to have his powerchair in the community is a HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE, became more apparent to me!

When the second tow truck driver arrived, due to the current Santa Clara County Health Orders, Derrick and I were not allowed to ride with the driver to the repair shop. The car was towed and we were left, on the side of the freeway, to find alternate means of transportation to the repair shop.

We needed a new alternator and, as the heat outside climbed to over 90 degrees, we had to wait several hours for the part to arrive and be installed. The auto shop had a shuttle that dropped us off at the nearby Target. The Target we went to had a Caroline’s Cart that Derrick could sit in while I pushed him through the store. However our SUSTAINABLE food options were limited to Target’s food because Derrick could not ambulate to the nearby restaurants.

About an hour before our vehicle was ready, Derrick began saying, "my brain is more than 100% insane right now, I want to go home!" At this point, without a sustainable meal all day, my brain was becoming mush too.

Had we had the powerchair with us, Derrick would have been able to ACCESS, what someone who could ambulate, would access for health and safety, in the same situation. He would have also been able to endure the wait more comfortably in his custom powerchair and maintain his sense of SANITY.

I feel stronger than ever that Derrick absolutely needs the vehicle conversion we are fundraising for. It is no longer just about enjoying the community. It is now about health and safety!

Please help us raise the $25,000 we need for the $60,000 accessible vehicle we are hoping to purchase by June 30.

Because every story has a reason to be grateful:

Yesterday, I learned, California Highway Patrol offers this free service, thank you California taxpayers and thank you to Jose Rodriguez who brought us to safety: www.chp.ca.gov

Thank you to Community Garage in Morgan Hill for your caring and speedy assistance!

Thank you to my friend, Carolyn, for dropping everything, masking up and transporting Derrick and I to our car!

Caroline's Cart, ask the manager at the stores you shop at if they have them available for the disabled: technibilt.com

Thank you to my boss, Michael, for understanding and helping me!