My name is Kim Borgersen. I have been a foster parent to 13 children. I feel blessed that I have been able to adopt 4 of those children, all of whom are now young adults. Brenda, Charlotte, and Nathan have disabilities and continue to live at home. I am a single parent and the only driver in the house since the kids’ disabilities prevent them from driving.
My youngest two children, Charlotte and Nathan, both have Cerebral Palsy and use Power Wheelchairs. Currently, we transport both wheelchairs in my Toyota Sienna Minivan. Since the wheelchairs weigh 300 lbs. each, we must use a folding ramp to get them into the van. The ramp is very heavy to lift and manipulate, not to mention time consuming. Transporting the two wheelchairs is taking a physical toll on both me and the car. The weight of the two wheelchairs in addition to the weight of the four family members puts us right at the maximum payload capacity of the van, so I try to limit how many other things are in the van. The payload weight concerns limit our ability to travel.
I’ve retired after teaching children with disabilities for 33 years. We cannot afford the cost of a full-size van with a wheelchair lift that would transport our family including the two wheelchairs. Health insurance will not contribute to the cost of this vehicle. When they were in school, the school district shared some responsibility in transporting the kids in their wheelchairs. Now that they are adults, they need transportation for college, jobs, and simply for living their lives.
Charlotte and Nathan are active members of our community. They are active members of our church. They also participate in several programs at Rowan University including Unified Special Olympics and Get Fit. They participate in multiple social groups, including Spectrum and Friends for Life. Charlotte is currently a sophomore at Camden County College. Nathan has begun job placement experiences.
Charlotte was placed with our family at only 9 months old. She was very sick. She struggled to breathe and to eat. She cried all the time. She was unable to sit or move independently. Her arms and legs were in a frog position. I remember that every time I held her to give her a bottle, I would encourage her to relax enough to put her hands on the bottle. Access to several medical specialties at AI duPont Hospital for Children helped us to manage some of her chronic health conditions so that she felt healthier and happier. She also received Early Intervention Services including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. She also benefited from positioning equipment and braces on her legs. When she finally started using a special walker, I remember the rehabilitation doctor telling me that he wishes he had done a case study on Charlotte, because he never expected her to achieve the milestone of being able to walk. Charlotte has undergone several surgical procedures including eye surgery and major orthopedic surgeries in Kindergarten, 5th Grade, and at 21 years old. She’s done so much, and has so much more to do.
I received a call asking me if I would accept Nathan into our home within only a day of his birth. He was Charlotte’s biological brother, so of course, I said yes! Nathan came to our house when he was discharged from the hospital a few days later. It became apparent rather quickly that Nathan had many of the same health concerns as Charlotte. Within days, he had been placed on an apnea monitor. At only 4 months old, Nathan had his first ambulance ride from a local Emergency Room to AI duPont Hospital for Children and was placed on oxygen full-time. He also received Early Intervention Services from a very early age. In addition to the physical disability caused by Cerebral Palsy, Nathan also has problems with his spine. He has had 2 spinal fusion surgeries so far.
Charlotte and Nathan are two very special young adults. They are extremely involved in their community, and they bring happiness to all that they meet. They have both overcome many obstacles in their life, tackling each obstacle with so much perseverance, fortitude and optimism. Although they both can walk, they fatigue quickly and walking or standing for anything other than brief periods causes them pain. Having access to their power wheelchairs gives them freedom and independence to do the things that their peers do. It has been my privilege to support Charlotte and Nathan and I am incredibly proud of the adults that they have become. Unfortunately, our current transportation situation, interferes with my ability to support Charlotte and Nathan and is limiting their potential to become functioning adult members of society and live their best lives. Please look at our video to see what our daily struggle looks like. Our family is partnering with Help Hope Live to fundraise in honor of Charlotte and Nathan to assist with purchasing an accessible van.
Won’t you help Charlotte and Nathan by making a donation today?
Family and friends of Charlotte and Nathan Borgersen are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund an accessible van that can accommodate both of their wheelchairs.
Charlotte and Nathan has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
