Help Kurtiss Gain Full Mobility with a Van

December 28, 2024In June of 2020 Kurtiss had a massive stroke. He was 38 years old and we had been married for less than a year. We spent our first wedding anniversary in the hospital. He spent three months in the ICU and then inpatient rehab, where he began to re-learn how to breathe, eat, and talk independently. Because of the pandemic, we were isolated from friends, family and support systems. By the time he came home in September 2020 he was back to breathing on his own but he still had a feeding tube and a pretty limited grasp on the world around him.Four and a half years later, so much has changed. Our world has opened up and we feel more surrounded by love, care and support than ever. One thing that hasn’t changed is that Kurtiss is still working hard every day at his physical recovery. I am working hard every day to support him in that recovery.Last summer, after a long battle, insurance finally approved Kurtiss for a power wheelchair and the world opened up again. With his manual wheelchair we were limited to places where I could physically push him (not that many places in hilly, rainy Seattle!). Now we can go to neighborhood cafes that are uphill, we can follow our godchildren on their bikes, and we can get out into nature together.But, we are still limited. The power chair can only be transported via a wheelchair accessible vehicle. We love to walk/roll long distances…but sometimes just as it’s time to leave we’ll step outside into pouring rain or Seattle’s famous 4pm December sunsets and realize that we need to drive. So it’s back inside, switch to the manual chair, and be stuck with its limitations wherever we are going. Even many places with “accessible” ramps (like one of our favorite concert venues: a historic theater downtown with ramps so steep I need help to push Kurtiss up them) can present a challenge or a total barrier. We want Kurtiss to have the independence the power chair gives him everywhere he goes. We need our own fully wheelchair accessible van!But wheelchair conversions are expensive. I am only working part time currently, so that I can manage Kurtiss’s care and therapies. Kurtiss does receive disability but we are living on a very tight budget.We have found what we think is the perfect accessible vehicle for us. Kurtiss was really hoping for something other than a minivan. We found a great 2018 Ford Explorer with a Braunability ramp from a dealer in Houston and we took the plunge!But we need your help. Wheelchair conversions tend to cost $20-25,000. All told, our new car is going to cost $38,995. It feels like a lot of money, but it is going to change our lives immeasurably. So, we’re asking our incredible community to help launch us into the next phase of this recovery journey. Help the world open again to Kurtiss.Anything you can donate is deeply appreciated.Read more about Kurtiss’ stroke and recovery journey here: http://kurtiss.careKurtiss 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!